Overview
This in-person course introduces a critical but friendly approach to qualitative interviewing.
Participants will be encouraged to think about the role of qualitative interviews in their research, their own role in data collection and the nature of the data generated in interviews. Participants will position their own approach in relation to the different philosophical debates in qualitative research which will help them think critically about what type of data they can access using interviews.
Ultimately the course is a celebration of the interview – with all its flaws – and an opportunity to engage with the what, how and why of qualitative interviewing approach and a more ‘critical’ understanding of what interview data represents.
Meet your course lead
Dr Gail Hebson has worked in University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University and taught qualitative research methods for many years to MSc, Phd and MBA students.
With a background in sociology, she has extensive interviewing experience with a particular specialism with interviewing workers in low paid employment and service work. She has supervised many PhD students who have used qualitative interviews in their data collection and has published in a range of journals and books including; Work, Employment and Society; Gender, Work and Organisation, Sociology and Human Resource Management.
Further course details
Since Atkinson and Silverman (2007) identified an ‘interview society’ and questioned why interviews seemed to be the ‘go-to’ method for qualitative researchers, little has changed and interviews have become even more ubiquitous. Celebrity ‘tell all’ interviews and podcasts all use the interview as a medium to access the interviewee’s real ‘authentic self’ and ‘their truth’
Methodological debates in the social sciences recognise that this is problematic and in fact interviews rarely give privileged access to the interior subjectivity and experiences of participants. Yet as noted by Silverman (2017), these methodological debates are in a silo and as social science researchers we continue to use interview data uncritically, focusing on the ‘what’ is said rather than the ‘why’ or the ‘how’ of what is said. On this course we will focus on all of these aspects.
Course aims
During this this course attendees will:
- Be introduced to the different philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research interviews so they can begin to position their own approach in relation to these
- Gain practical hands-on experience of designing interview guides and using different questioning styles that are consistent with their philosophical position
- Be shown methods to tailor interview guides for different participants and contexts
- Appreciate the role of the interviewer in shaping data, focusing specifically on active listening, emotions and empathy
- Be introduced to data analysis techniques which go beyond ‘what’ is said to the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of what is said
Who is likely to most benefit from attending this course?
While PGRs and Early Career Researchers from across all disciplines are likely to be the main audience, the course may also be of interest to senior scholars, practice-based researchers, independent researchers, and scholars who are seeking to refresh and further develop their interviewing skills.
Any preparatory work or pre-requisites?
There is no specific preparatory work or pre-requisites, but if you are new to qualitative interviewing the following readings would provide useful background:
- Braun, V, & Clarke, V (2013).Successful Qualitative Research: A practical guide for beginners. SAGE Publications Ltd.
- Kvale, S. & Brinkmann, S. (2014). InterViews: Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing. London: Sage
- Rubin, H. & Rubin, I. (2012) Qualitative Interviewing: The Art of Hearing Data, London: Sage.
- Silverman, D. (2017). How was it for you? The Interview Society and the irresistible rise of the (poorly analyzed) interview. Qualitative Research, 17(2), 144–158.
Course timetable
This in-person course will run from 1pm on 1st July to 12.30pm on 4th July 2024 (equivalent to three full days). It will include refreshment breaks on all days and lunches Tuesday-Wednesday as well as a Summer School social activity on the Monday evening (information will be circulated to all attendees).
An indicative timetable is provided below:
Costs
- Full price: £675
- PGR/reduced rate: £450
Book your place
Places should be booked through the Methods@Manchester e-store by clicking the button below (payment by card only).
Bursaries
We are pleased to be able to offer a limited number of bursaries for Summer School applicants eligible for reduced fees.
The main bursary scheme is limited to PGRs from the North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership, but we also have a very limited number of bursaries for other applicants eligible for reduced fees who are facing exceptional circumstances.
Please see the main Summer School website (bottom of the page) for details of these bursaries and information about how to apply.
Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on methods@manchester.ac.uk
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