Narrative interviews, or, Are qualitative interviews qualitative enough?

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

2. 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 pre-conceptualize the answers -> • Good interviews have fewer questions and fewer turn-takings - bad interviews contain lot of (detailed) questions and answers

3. 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 and living here” • After such a broad introductory question/ expression of interest interviewer should rather continue than pose entirely new questions

4. 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.

5. 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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