2006 — Qualitative Interviewing: The Art and Rigor of Eliciting Rich Trustworthy Data

Sayre GG, Seattle/Denver COIN; Young JP, Seattle/Denver COIN;

Workshop Objectives:
Qualitative methods play an increasingly significant role in VA HSRandD studies and interviewing is the primary form of qualitative data collection. While there is an great deal of literature on qualitative approaches to analyzing interview data, the interviewing process itself receives minimal attention, there is little consensus around what constitutes "good" interviewing, and interviewers often receive little, if any, training on how to collect high quality, trustworthy data. Conducting interviews that are simultaneously open and rigorous can be challenging to even the most experienced interviewer. This workshop will provide an overview of the theoretical background of qualitative data collection, present specific rigorous approaches to interview guide and protocol development, and introduce interview techniques to enhance data trustworthiness. Participants will engage in hands-on, facilitated practice to develop and boost their interviewing skill in order to obtain high quality, trustworthy qualitative data.

Activities:
The didactic portion of the workshop will provide an overview of interviewing as a form of data collection and present the quality criteria for interview data. Variation in interviewing approaches across the inductive -deductive range of qualitative research will be discussed. An introduction to a well-developed interviewing approach successfully used in HSRandD studies will be provided and will include examples of interview guide development and interviewing techniques. The skills presentation portion of the workshop will provide demonstration of an interviewing technique utilizing standardized prompts to increase interview trustworthiness and opportunities for hands-on practice. Specific challenges identified in the participation experience will be addressed.

Target Audience:
Researchers and research staff using, or planning on using, qualitative interviews as a form of data collection.

Assumed Audience Familiarity with Topic:
Intermediate level content, some familiarity with qualitative methods helpful. Appropriate for newer and experienced qualitative researchers.