Conducting Sensitive Interviews Online

Abstract

We explore the role of embodied messages for the interaction order when conducting sensitive biographical research online. Our analysis indicates that mediated situations take shape continuously and are extremely open to different kinds of interaction orderings, including disruptions. Interaction in online interviews is influenced by increased fluidity and intensity caused by the synthetic situation. For the researcher, this results in extra effort in restructuring the main activity and re‐establishing the expressive order. Moreover, the inability to be physically present in affective interview situations created virtual private mental spaces where interaction of intense emotions was partly restricted.