A note of research method-decomposing on qualitative research interview

A note of research method-decomposing on qualitative research interview

 

Highlight 5 main ideas of Steinar Kvale's thinking on qualitative research interview and 2 claims of it in terms of Toulmin's model of argument.

Steinar Kvale views the qualitative research interview as a craft that combines philosophical foundations with practical stages to understand participants' lived experiences. His seminal work InterViews emphasizes interpretive approaches over rigid objectivity.

Main Ideas

·        Interview as conversation: Kvale sees the qualitative interview not as a neutral data collection tool but as a dynamic, intersubjective dialogue where knowledge emerges from the interaction between interviewer and interviewee.

·        Philosophical underpinnings: He integrates hermeneutics (interpretation of meaning), phenomenology (lived experiences), ethics, validity concerns, and postmodernism to frame interviewing as understanding subjects' viewpoints.

·        Seven-stage process: The interview investigation follows structured yet flexible stages: thematizing/designing, conducting, variations, quality checks, transcribing, analyzing, and reporting.

·        Focus on meaning: Analysis prioritizes meaning condensation, coding, and interpretation from interviewees' perspectives, using descriptive "what" and "how" questions over explanatory "why" ones.

·        Craft and quality: Interviewing requires skill development, with emphasis on rapport, spontaneous descriptions, verification of understanding, and high-quality raw material for later analysis.

Toulmin Claims

Kvale's thinking includes arguments critiquing mainstream objections to qualitative interviews, often structured per Toulmin's model (claim supported by data, warrant, backing, qualifiers, rebuttals). Here are two key claims:

Claim 1: Qualitative interviews are intersubjective, not purely subjective or objective

·        Data: Interviews create knowledge through interviewer-interviewee interaction, allowing the "object" (lived world) to speak.

·        Warrant: Objectivity is itself subjective; true insight comes from participants' expressions, bridging personal views and scientific inquiry.

Claim 2: Quality interviews produce reliable analysis material

·        Data: Criteria like interpretation, verification, and communication during the interview ensure meaning is captured accurately before transcription.

·        Warrant: Poor initial interviews undermine later stages; skilled conduct (e.g., descriptive probing) yields rich, verifiable data.

 

References

Two key academic references on Steinar Kvale's qualitative research interview approach are his foundational book and a later edition co-authored with Svend Brinkmann. These provide theoretical and practical insights into interviewing as a craft.

Primary Reference

Kvale, S. (1996) InterViews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Secondary Reference

Brinkmann, S. and Kvale, S. (2015) InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing. 3rd edn. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

** Also study the note on the steps to conduct literature review and theory/method-decomposing.

        A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.