Interviewing Political Elites: Lessons from Russia

Strategies for conducting elite interviews

“…In addition, asking open---ended questions only provides qualitative data, but often researchers wish to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data. Rivera et al (2002), for example, find that open---ended questions can be successfully followed---up by formulaic questions. an effective method and she further argues that they should not be seen as a 'second---best' option to face---to---face interviews and in certain circumstances they should be considered as more favourable.…”

Conducting Qualitative Research in Russia: Challenges and Advice

“…Russians in particular have generally been found suspicious of foreigners and their intentions (Rivera et al, 2002). People in the Soviet Union were strongly influenced by their simultaneous reception of propaganda regarding the superiority of the Soviet state and negative information regarding foreigners, particularly Westerners with their "gniloi" capitalism ("rotten capitalism"; Barnes et al 1997).…”

“…Challenges thus arise in their interactions with more sequentially oriented cultures, such as Norway, in which time is tangible and appointments are kept strictly and scheduled in advance. For example, planning an appointment just for the following week can be considered to be planning too far in advance for Russians (Rivera et al, 2002).…”

“…Although some phrases can be literally translated into Russian, their meaning may be subject to a wide variety of interpretations (Rivera et al, 2002). Use of an interpreter in an in-depth interview is time consuming and tiresome for both the researcher and the interview object, provides the researcher with less control over the information given, places much responsibility on the interpreter, and poses the risk of misunderstandings and misinterpretations.…”

“…To gain access to respondents, Rivera (2002) and Michailova (2004) stress the necessity of using one's personal network. As discussed above, foreign researchers may not find their personal networks helpful, or may not even have any in Russia.…”