The Qualitative Approach Interview in Administration: A Guide for Researchers

Abstract

Context: this paper explores different ways of using qualitative approach interviews, based on the assumption that the interview is not exclusively subjective or objective, but intersubjective, allowing participants to discuss and express their interpretations about the social world. Objective: the aim is to guide the use of the interview, step by step, in research in administration and related areas, offering a simplified guide to assist beginning and experienced researchers. Method: due to its objective, this tutorial article is descriptive and explanatory, interdisciplinary and supported by bibliographic sources. Results: theoretical considerations about the interview are made, conceptualizing essential aspects related to its structuring, development and evaluation. Also listed are the factors resulting from the intersubjectivity inherent in the act of researching, such as the potential types of interview, the dimensions of the preparation, the different possibilities of asking, the questions about the conduct of the meeting, the dimensions related to the analytical work, among others. Conclusion: as an outcome, it is suggested that the interviewer observe the asymmetry of the relationship with the interviewee, the inevitable presence of biases and distortions, and the rigor in planning the investigation.

Introduction to the Special Issue Call for Qualitative Research Tutorials in Contemporary Administration Studies: An Editorial

“…The first theme reflected by the papers is a concern with extending methods. Traditionally, qualitative research within contemporary administration and management studies has been dominated by the interview method (Holstein & Gubrium, 2011) and, with this in mind, we include a paper by Cheron, Salvagni, and Colomby (2022) that addresses this method in detail. Qualitative interviews can be an entirely appropriate method: if you want to know what people think about a phenomenon, what better way than to ask them and listen to what they have to say about their experience and perspectives of it?…”

“…Qualitative interviews can be an entirely appropriate method: if you want to know what people think about a phenomenon, what better way than to ask them and listen to what they have to say about their experience and perspectives of it? (Cheron, Salvagni, & Colomby, 2022;Van Manen, 1997;Watson, 1998). Nevertheless, Silverman (2006) warns against it becoming method by default, and qualitative research projects within management studies have increasingly started to reflect a willingness to apply, and to devise, innovative methods with which to investigate and to 'get at' organizational phenomena such as the elicitation or collection of visual data (Bell, Warren, & Schroeder, 2014) and stories (Gabriel & Griffiths, 2004;Riessman, 2008).…”

“…In their paper, Silva et al (2022) explicitly link the decolonial agenda to practices of research itself and the imposition and reproduction of colonial hegemonies through management, accounting, and research practices. They argue that 'non-extractive methods' such as participatory action research offer a means by which research can include participants not simply as subjects or contributors but as co-constructors of knowledge; a theme also highlighted by Cheron et al (2022), who observe how interviews 'reframe' participants in the research process from 'mere sources of information' to co-producers of knowledge based on a shared interest in the phenomenon under study. However, Silva et al (2022) also discuss how such methods also challenge researcher 'blind spots' arising from their own interests or 'grand theories,' by addressing the local experience of participants and producing knowledge that is useful in that local context.…”

“…One common question is how we might know better. All the papers are concerned, to some extent, with widening perspectives of any management, organizational, or social phenomenon: by seeking out and including subaltern voices (Melo & Dourado, 2022;Silva, Sauerbronn, & Thiollent, 2022) and marginalized ideologies (Deus, Campos, & Rocha, 2022), developing dialogues and collaborative approaches with research participants (Cheron et al, 2022;Melo & Dourado, 2022;Silva et al, 2022), uncovering and surfacing endogenous theories in use by participants themselves (Silva et al, 2022), reflecting multiple and diverse perspectives (Deus et al, 2022), or capturing and tracking social attitudes over time (Deus et al, 2022). A second question is what we might study better, or how we might expand topics of interest and relevance for management and organization studies.…”

“…The Qualitative Approach Interview in Administration: A Guide for Researchers Our final paper, by Cheron et al (2022), returns us to what is still widely regarded as the primary research method for qualitative research in organization and management studies: the qualitative interview. The paper deliberately positions itself as a 'tutorial,' offering a step-by-step guide for considering whether, when, and how to use qualitative interviews, as well as their design and application.…”