How do Interviewers Ask Questions in Unstructured Interviews?

A Micro-analysis of Narrative Process by Looking at Forms of Inquiry and Retelling

Abstract

Given that active interactions between the interviewer and the interviewee constitute the narrative process of unstructured interviews, the techniques involved in making inquiries are especially important for understanding the production of generative narratives. I constructed three models for examining interview processes, focused on "forms of inquiry", "forms of retelling", and "approach-strategies to problems". The model constructions were based on observations in the field and techniques derived from qualitative psychology. The interview processes that take place in consultant and professional interviews were micro-analyzed. It was found that effective forms of inquiry included "turns, expansions, and changing the position of self and others", and that effective forms of retelling included "techniques for setting up variations and complements". The micro analyses of interview processes undertaken in this study will be useful for developing qualitative method reflexivity and for skill training in interviewers.