Introduction/Overview
This two-day course gives participants an understanding of, and experience in using, the skills and techniques involved in conducting qualitative interviews to a high standard. It will be delivered via a combination of taught and practical sessions. The trainers all have extensive experience of conducting in-depth interviews for qualitative studies.
Course objectives
By the end of the workshop, participants will be:
- able to locate where the in-depth interview sits on the continuum of interview approaches
- able to identify the key features and objectives of in-depth interviews
- familiar with, and able to put into practice, the essential skills of in-depth interviewing: active listening; open questioning and probing
- able to design and use a topic guide
- able to explain the attributes which are required to fulfil the interviewer role
- able to demonstrate awareness of, and competence in, different aspects of managing the interview process
- experienced in conducting in-depth interviews through the practical sessions included in the course
Topics
- the depth interview in social research
- in-depth interviewing skills: active listening, open questioning and probing techniques
- designing and using a topic guide
- interviewer attributes
- managing the interview process
- considerations before the interview
- stages of the interview
- working with specific populations, dealing with sensitive or difficult topics and situations
- practical interviewing issues
Who will benefit?
This course requires some prior knowledge or experience of conducting qualitative research.
You will find the course useful if:
- you are relatively new to qualitative research, or just starting to conduct in-depth interviews
- have experience of doing qualitative interviews but lack training
- you commission or manage qualitative research in central or local government, health or other applied sectors
Course tutor
Mehul Kotecha joined the NatCen Social Research as a Senior Researcher in March 2008. He has led on a number of qualitative studies including evaluations of back to work programmes (e.g. process evaluation of the Support for the Very Long-Term Unemployed Trailblazer programme), research into financial and material circumstances in old age (e.g. exploring the relationship between material deprivation and pensioner poverty and a study which explored older people's attitudes towards the principle of automatic awards of Pension Credit), and research into education and skills (e.g. a study exploring motivations and barriers to part-time post-16 education). Prior to this, Mehul was a Research Fellow at the Institute of Primary Care and Public Health, based at London South Bank University - where he also received his doctorate in sociology.
Sarah Frankenburg is a Research Director at NatCen, working across the Policy Research and Survey Research centres. She has been involved in numerous qualitative and mixed methods studies and conducted many face-to-face and telephone interviews with a wide range of participants. Sarah’s recent studies include a study into the impact of the closure of the Independent Living Fund and conducting personal narrative interviews with young care leavers. Prior to joining NatCen Sarah specialised in conducting qualitative research into issues affecting adults with a learning disability, and those in contact with the criminal justice system.
Course fee payable to SRA
This course contributes 6 hours to the MRS CPD programme
n.b. This course runs over two consecutive days:
Part 1 - 9 September - 9.15 am to 5.00 pm
Part 2 - 10 September - 9.15 am to 5.00 pm