Qualitative Interviewing
Event Information
About this event
Interviews are a popular method in qualitative research. They allow us to collect detailed and rich information about individuals’ lives, their experiences, behaviours, and how they understand and make sense of the world. The rich insight provided into people’s lives is one of the benefits which the method offers over, for example, standardised surveys or questionnaires.
This live online Zoom course introduces you to the method of qualitative interviews. This includes their benefits, examples of effective interviewing, and the key ethical and practical issues to be considered. We look at types of qualitative interview which include structured, unstructured and semi-structured interviews. We explore the benefits of semi-structured interviewing which involves a combination of pre-set open ended questions with room for the exploration of other (sometimes unanticipated) topics. You will gain experience of designing an interview schedule and of conducting a semi-structured interview. We cover:
- The benefits of qualitative interviews
- Types of qualitative interview including structured, unstructured and semi-structured interviews
- Designing and structuring a semi-structured interview schedule
- Conducting a semi-structured interview
- Questioning: open and closed
- Practical considerations (i.e. recording and transcription)
- The ethics of interviewing
- Power relations and how to build relationships and rapport with interviewees
Organiser The Qualitative Researcher - Dr Karen Lumsden
Organiser of Qualitative Interviewing
Qualitative researcher / trainer / consultant / coach
Karen has over 15 years experience as a qualitative researcher and social scientist. She has a PhD in Sociology, Masters in Social Research, PGCE in Higher Education Learning & Teaching, and MA (Hons.) in Sociology from the University of Aberdeen. She has held a number of academic posts including Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Leicester, Senior Lecturer in Sociology at Loughborough University, and Assistant Professor in Criminology at the University of Nottingham, UK.
Karen regularly delivers qualitative methods and academic skills training for a variety of clients and social researchers including academia, government, charities, the voluntary sector, policy makers, and police constabularies. She has taught research methods on various masters and doctoral programmes and summer schools including ESRC Advanced Methods training and Masters in Social Research. She also delivers qualitative training courses for the Social Research Association. She also designs bespoke courses for organizations. Examples of regular courses include:
- Introduction to Qualitative Research
- Qualitative Interviewing
- Observational and Ethnographic Methods
- How to Conduct Thematic Analysis
- Writing and Presenting Qualitative Data
- Moderating Focus Groups
She also coaches and mentors Masters students, doctoral students, and academics on qualitative research and evaluations.
Karen's research has focused on areas such as: policing, bereavement, victims, digital media and cyber crime, youth culture, car culture and transport. She is the author and editor of books including: Reflexivity in Criminological Research, Reflexivity: Theory, Method and Practice, Online Othering and Boy Racer Culture. She is currently on the Editorial Board of the journal Qualitative Research.
For further details of Karen's work and publications visit: www.qualitativetraining.com or email karen@qualitativetraining.com