Interviewing for Qualitative Inquiry ― A Relational Approach

Josselson (clinical psychology, Fielding Graduate U.) presents a primer on preparing for, conducting, and then using interviews and gathering qualitative rather than quantitative data from them. She argues that human experience is "storied" and considers the epistemological grounding an interviewer needs to appreciate that. She outlines the formation of the research relationship, how to plan for and design an interview, and the mechanics of meeting and starting an interview on the best foot possible. In one chapter she describes how empathy functions to garner better responses from interviewees, offering dialogues that illustrate the kind of choices interviewers can make to achieve empathy. She explains how one can "both be fully human and also stay in the researcher role." In a later chapter she considers three "good interviews" and the different challenges they face. In the end, she reviews dos and don'ts of interviewing and the importance of the research relationship even after the interview is done. Three appendices offer interview aides, sample questions, and a consent form template. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)