In-Depth Interviews in Social Research: A Qualitative Approach
Journalism vs. Social Research
Journalism and social research differ in their approach to interviews. Journalistic interviews often have a specific target, are cyclical, and anecdotal, seeking information for headlines. Social research interviews, however, aim to construct the social meaning of a behavior or event from a structural perspective. Journalistic practices can sometimes interfere with social research. Respondents interviewed by journalists may refuse to participate in subsequent social research due to misuse of prior information. Researchers must then convince participants of their anonymity, a task made harder by any prior negative experiences.
Interviews in Different Fields
Staff selection interviews aim to evaluate candidates objectively. The interviewer gains private knowledge to make individual decisions (selection or rejection). In qualitative social research, the process is reversed. Therapeutic interviews lack structure, allowing patients to rebuild their personal history leading to the situation being analyzed. This private knowledge deepens understanding of the patient’s personality. Other professional interviews, such as those in health services and advisory roles, play a significant role in social work.
In-Depth Interviews and Confession
In-depth interviews share similarities with Catholic confession, providing a historical perspective on the technique. The respondent is encouraged to confess, sometimes revealing practices contradicting social norms. However, respondents may also refuse to verbalize or partially confess these practices. In social work, this reluctance can be amplified, especially in situations involving sensitive information, such as tracking a teenager’s behavior. Researchers must navigate ethical dilemmas while seeking sincerity from respondents.
The Interviewer’s Role
The interviewer must be open to accepting any expression from the interviewee. They must recognize the tension between the respondent’s desire to present an acceptable image and the researcher’s need to uncover the truth. Qualitative interviews allow researchers to understand how individuals perceive themselves and their actions, reconstructing their system of social representations.
Complementarity with Other Methods
In-depth interviews complement discussion groups, as the latter only provide collective representations. They also complement participant observation. While some consider interviews part of the observation process, in-depth interviews have their own distinct entity. Researchers like B. Malinowski used interviews to record observations during fieldwork, demonstrating the value of interviews as a standalone research method.