Reflections: Alvesson, M. (2012) ‘Views on Interviews: A Skeptical Review. In: Interpreting Interviews’ Pg 1-26.
As part of my readings into research methods, I chose to read Alvesson, M. (2012) ‘Views on Interviews: A Skeptical Review. In: Interpreting Interviews’. Alvesson M, provided some useful insights into using Interviews as a form of research methods, how these can be used, and considerations surrounding them. For me and most of my cohort, the interview will play the part in my research for the action research that I will carry out for my SIP project. In doing this I aim to understand and develop my research through engaging in interviews and focus groups with staff, practitioners, and students to gain an understanding of their experiences around craft and well-being and how this can be used to cultivate community following the lockdown and Pandemic.
Reading the paper I Alvesson, M touches on ‘Category Various groups of people are sometimes believed to call for particular considerations in terms of interview methods. Indeed, there are texts on how to interview children, old people, elites, ethnic minorities, the culturally diverse, men and women (Holstein & Gubrium, 2003b)….DeVault (1990: 96), for example, has argued that ‘language itself reflects male experience, and that its categories are often incongruent with women’s lives’ (p2). In carrying out my interviews I will consider the ethics in all that I do. I shall remain mindful of my own positionality and aim to remain objective as a researcher.
A view on interviews that stood out to me was the position ‘Romanticism’ and ‘The romantic researcher’. Alvesson, M 2012 mentions ‘The romantic researcher, advocating a more ‘genuine’ human interaction, believes in establishing a rapport, trust, and commitment between interviewer and interviewee, thus turning the interview into a ‘warm’ situation. Here the interviewee is free to express him or herself authentically and will produce open, rich and trustworthy talk. These are a prerequisite in order to be able to explore the inner world (meanings, ideas, feelings, intentions) or experience the social reality of the interviewee.’ I lean towards this approach in carrying out my interviews. Considering my research topic, I will be asking participants to share personal reflections concerning lived experiences and opinions, some of which may require them to revisit difficult periods in time. In doing this I find a sense of empathy is integral in providing a safe space for my participants to share, in turn safeguarding them as well gaining valuable incites.