Interviewing Separately or as Couples? Considerations of Authenticity of Method

Abstract

Heideggerian researchers recognize that people and their worlds are coconstructed; people make sense of their world from within it, not detached from it. The presence of one's partner in a joint interview will therefore influence the experience of participants, and will also influence the descriptions they provide. In this article, we present a reflexive discussion of two studies in which we used Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenology to explore people's experiences of sexuality and intimacy within the context of their illness. We present the Heideggerian concepts of Dasein, authenticity and truth, and draw on extracts from our interview transcripts to exemplify the different effects of joint and one-to-one interviews. We also discuss ethical considerations regarding these different interview approaches. Heidegger's philosophy does not preferentially support either method, but helps us to be clearer about the merits and limitations of each approach. Combining both approaches provides richer understanding of phenomena.

Co-parenting arrangements in lesbian and gay families: when the ‘mum and dad’ ideal generates innovative family forms

“…Given the need to contrast co-parents" respective views and to understand the negotiations and dynamics taking place between different members of the family, efforts were made to meet all co-parents involved in a joint family arrangement, which was possible in most cases, and to interview them separately. This method allowed each interviewee to provide their own account, un-inhibited by the presence of their partner or co-parent (Taylor and Vocht, 2011). Seven participants accepted to be interviewed on one or two further occasions between 2007 and 2010, so as to gain a better understanding of how their experiences of co-parenting had developed over time.…”

“…Transcripts from each participant in a co-parenting arrangement were read and coded individually as well as being analysed in comparison to the other co-parents in that configuration in order to identify contrasts and overlaps in the accounts (Eisikovits and 6 Koren, 2010). This provided data according to thematised individual accounts, as well as allowing a case by case analysis (Taylor and Vocht, 2011). An important effort was made to guarantee confidentiality during and after the interviews.…”

«Mujer de mi madre». Identidad y funciones de los coprogenitores y de las coprogenitoras en familias reconstituidas no heteronormativas

“…Por su parte, las entrevistas conjuntas permitieron superar los posibles conflictos éticos relativos al anonimato y al consentimiento entre las partes de la pareja y, al mismo tiempo, este procedimiento favoreció una mayor riqueza discursiva, tanto en los temas como en los datos proporcionados al crear un espacio para la reflexión conjunta (Bjornholt y Farstad, 2014). Distintos estudios (Taylor y De Vocht, 2011;Torgé, 2013) han puesto de manifiesto las ventajas de las entrevistas conjuntas en investigaciones que versan sobre dinámicas familiares, en concreto las que se refieren al estudio del clima de interacción generado y a los datos que de ahí proceden. No obstante, este tipo de entrevistas también tienen limitaciones que se derivan de las relaciones de poder que prevalecen en algunas parejas, lo que puede provocar que un miembro acapare todo el discurso (Morris, 2001).…”

Ageing and Caring as Couples with Disabilities

“…For instance, there can be the problem of imbalance of voice and power, problems of disclosure when the other partner listens, and what might be thought of as pressure on the couple to present a positive, rather than a problematic, picture of their relationship (see S.M. Forbat & Henderson, 2003;Taylor & de Vocht, 2011). There is also an added dimension to informed consent when interviewing conjointly, since if one partner refuses to be interviewed, the couple cannot be interviewed (Racher et al, 2000;Forbat & Henderson 2003).…”