Elite interviewing in media and communications policy research

Abstract

This article critically examines the use of elite interviews in media and communications policy research. It addresses the fit between various analytical frameworks and elite interviews as a primary source of data, interviewee selection, access, the conduct of interviews and data analysis. It is argued that there is a lack of methodological explanation and reflection in our field of study. Partly, this is determined by the preferences of publishers and space constrains but also a widespread reluctance to engage with methodological issues. This contributes to the diminishing relevance of large amounts of scholarship for policy-makers who tend to privilege studies based on narrowly defined and soundly elaborated empirical methods. Clear and concise methodological rigour, systematization and ethnographic reflexivity, thus, play an incredibly important role.

Global streaming platforms and national pay-television markets: a case study of Netflix and multi-channel providers in Israel

“…The majority of these interviews were conducted on-site at these providers' corporate offices. Following Herzog and Ali (2015), the author used a nondirective approach which resulted in interviews that had characteristics associated with natural conversation rather than a formal question-and-answer format. Interviews lasted between sixty and ninety minutes and were transcribed by the author.…”

Faktor-faktor Mempengaruhi Tempoh Penyelesaian Kes Siasatan Cukai di Malaysia: Perspektif Pegawai Pengurusan Atasan LHDNM

“…Data yang diperolehi daripada temu bual telah dianalisis secara thematik untuk mendapatkan maklumat yang bermakna. Data perlu dianalisis dengan kerangka analitikal yang bersesuaian (Herzog & Ali 2015). Data mentah yang diperolehi dari temu bual ditranskripsi kepada teks bertulis dan data akan diperiksa, disusun dan diasingkan mengikut soalan temu bual.…”

From praxis to pragmatism: Junior scholars and policy impact

“…For critical scholars, scholarly involvement in media policy activism is grounded in Marx's (1844) notion of praxis-defined briefly as the "union of research and action," or the practical application of theory (Herzog & Ali, 2015;p. 41;Feenberg, 2014;Mosco, 2009;).…”

“…Finding inspiration in Katz's (1971) chapter "Television comes to the people of the book," Schejter and Tirosh (2016) frame their article as one "in which a social scientist reflects upon his involvement in media policy development" (p. 40). Auto-ethnography by scholars involved in the policymaking process is a particularly underdeveloped area of media and communication policy studies (see Herzog & Ali, 2015), and more attention to this area would no doubt help junior scholars understand how more senior scholars are involved in crafting media policies around the world.…”