Method 'Qualitative Interviews'

Ethnographic interviews are helpful to gain very in-depth data about a topic/concern in a relatively short time. They provide insightful knowledge about individuals, communities, their respective views and perspectives on specific subjects, and the embedded social dynamics. However, interviews should only be executed after researching secondary sources and grey literature. Previous to the interviews, a preliminary set of open questions and sample of interview partners have to be (partially) defined, which should be guided by the research questions, while striving for an objective approach and aiming for a maximum diversity of groups. The data collected in the interviews should be regularly contrasted with the initially drawn underlying assumptions and hypotheses.

Tags/ keywords: Method, Qualitative methods, ethnographic research, social dynamics, interviews.