What is Qualitative Interviewing?: (The 'What is?' Research Methods Series)

This book is available as open access through the Bloomsbury Open Access programme and is available on bloomsburycollections.com. What is Qualitative Interviewing? is an accessible and comprehensive ‘what is’ and ‘how to’ methods book. It is distinctive in emphasising the importance of good practice in understanding and undertaking qualitative interviews within the framework of a clear philosophical position. Rosalind Edwards and Janet Holland provide clear and succinct explanations of a range of philosophies and theories of how to know about the social world, and a thorough discussion of how to go about researching it using interviews. A series of short chapters explain and illustrate a range of interview types and practices. Drawing on their own and colleagues’ experiences Holland and Edwards provide real research examples as informative illustrations of qualitative interviewing in practice, and the use of a range of creative interview tools. They discuss the use of new technologies as well as tackling enduring issues around asking and listening and power dynamics in research. Written in a clear and accessible style the book concludes with a useful annotated bibliography of key texts and journals in the field. What is Qualitative Interviewing? provides a vital resource for both new and experienced social science researchers across a range of disciplines.

Table of Contents:
What do the Key Terms Used about Qualitative Interviews Mean? How Have Qualitative Interviews Developed? What Forms can Qualitative Interviews Take? Where can Qualitative Interviews Take Place? What Sort of Research Tools can be Used in Conducting Qualitative Interviews? What are the Practicalities Involved in Conducting Qualitative Interviews? What are the Strengths and Challenges in Using Qualitative Interviews? What Criticisms Have Been Made of Qualitative Interviews, and Where Next for Qualitative Interviewing?

About the Author :
Rosalind Edwards is Professor of Sociology at the University of Southampton, UK, and a co-director of the ESRC National Centre for Research Methods. She is founding and co-editor of the International Journal of Social Research Methodology and currently sits on the Economic and Social Research Council’s Methods and Infrastructure Committee. Janet Holland is Professor of Social Research at London South Bank University, UK. She was co-director (with Bren Neale) of the Timescapes Initiative (2007 to 2012) a unique qualitative longitudinal research study involving nine research projects and five UK universities. She is an elected member of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Review :
Professors Rosalind Edwards and Janet Holland provide an easily digestible introductory text for newcomers to the qualitative aspects of social research. Research can be daunting for beginners who are keen to engage in the interview process as a key method. What is Qualitative Interviewing? will no doubt provide the confidence for students to consider best practice when interviewing their participants ... A most definite must read for those plunging into their very first qualitative interviews. We learn, with the utmost clarity and conciseness, a great deal about the key terms, the development of the method, forms of qualitative interviewing, research tools, practical aspects of conducting an interview ... and strengths, issues and the future of qualitative interviewing ... A really successful and readable book that will help you to understand and reflect upon qualitative interviewing. Good, easy, accessible book for undergraduate teaching that fits with what I teach and signposts students well. Succinct, but not too basic either. Good introduction to qualitative interviewing.