Narrative interviews or Are qualitative interviews qualitative enough

Narrative interviews, or, Are qualitative interviews qualitative enough? Matti Hyvärinen Professor of sociology (10%) University of Tampere Matti. K. Hyvarinen@uta. fi

Narrative interview • Narrative interview is one of the least structured versions of interviewing; is not based on a list of fixed questions • The question-answer pair does not constitute a good interview (Official interrogation? ) • Primary objective: to encourage people to tell their stories based on their own experiences and meaning-making • Interview questions always pre-frame and preconceptualize the answers -> • Good interviews have fewer questions and fewer turntakings - bad interviews contain lot of (detailed) questions and answers

Without questions? • Researcher's expression of interest rather than exact question may start a good interview: • ”As I earlier told you, I am interested in the life of Ingrian migrants in Finland. Therefore, I’d now like to hear about your experience of moving to Finland living here” • After such a broad introductory question/ expression of interest interviewer should rather continue than pose entirely new questions

Questions: • 1. Introductory questions • 2. Follow-up question: pick up the words, concepts, themes, and emotions from the previous talk of the interviewee. • 3. Inquiring – can you tell more about your move? Can you give me an example of your difficulties? • 4. Interpreting question. ”If I understand correctly, you…” • 5. Silence – if you are able to waite a bit longer, you may get quite different aspects of the issue • 6. Detailed questions only exceptionally – and at the end of the interview. Yes or no – never.

Interviewer’s attitude • • 1. Show your interest! 2. Show your ignorance. ”I cannot know your experience” 3. Show respect (Interview as a gift, Ann Oakley) 4. Don’t interrupt – listen to! 5. Don’t be judgmental 6. Give space! This is not your turn to be heard. 7. Learn to be silent and endure silence (requires practicing!) 8. Don’t be fearful for emotional expressions. You have not caused the grief – you have given an opportunity to express it. • 9. Mirror the emotional expressions. (“That must have been awful to you”; “You must have been happy then”) -> helps to continue • 10. Summarize – to show that you listen & to check you understand

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