What is Qualitative Interviewing?

by Edwards, Rosalind; Holland, Janet

• ISBN13: 9781780938523
• ISBN10: 1780938527
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2013-12-19
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

What is Qualitative Interviewing? is an accessible and comprehensive ‘what is' and ‘how to' methods book. It is distinctive in emphasising the importance of good practice in understanding and undertaking qualitative interviews within the framework of a clear philosophical position. Rosalind Edwards and Janet Holland provide clear and succinct explanations of a range of philosophies and theories of how to know about the social world, and a thorough discussion of how to go about researching it using interviews. A series of short chapters explain and illustrate a range of interview types and practices. Drawing on their own and colleagues' experiences Holland and Edwards provide real research examples as informative illustrations of qualitative interviewing in practice, and the use of a range of creative interview tools. They discuss the use of new technologies as well as tackling enduring issues around asking and listening and power dynamics in research. Written in a clear and accessible style the book concludes with a useful annotated bibliography of key texts and journals in the field. What is Qualitative Interviewing? provides a vital resource for both new and experienced social science researchers across a range of disciplines.

Author Biography

Rosalind Edwards is Professor in Social Policy, and an elected member of the Academy of Social Sciences, University of Southampton, UK. Ros recently joined the Division from London South Bank University where she directed a five-year ESRC research group programme of work concerned with families and social capital. She is founding and co-editor of the International Journal of Social Research Methodology.

Janet Holland is Professor of Social Research at London South Bank University, UK. She has had a pretigious career in research, largely at the Institute of Education, where she also taught for many years.

Table of Contents

What do the Key Terms Used about Qualitative Interviews Mean?
How Have Qualitative Interviews Developed?
What Forms can Qualitative Interviews Take?
Where can Qualitative Interviews Take Place?
What Sort of Research Tools can be Used in Conducting Qualitative Interviews?
What are the Practicalities Involved in Conducting Qualitative Interviews?
What are the Strengths and Challenges in Using Qualitative Interviews?
What Criticisms Have Been Made of Qualitative Interviews, and Where Next for Qualitative Interviewing?