Interviewing for qualitative inquiry: a relational approach

Engagingly written, this book builds the reader's skills for conducting in-depth interviews designed to address a particular research question. With an emphasis on the dynamics of the research relationship, Ruthellen Josselson artfully demonstrates the steps of a successful interview. Each step is illustrated with excerpts from interviews on diverse topics. The book describes how to structure interviews effectively, develop questions that elicit meaningful narratives, cultivate skills for empathic listening and responding, avoid common pitfalls, and deal with problems that develop in an interview.

The foundations of interviewing as qualitative inquiry -- Introduction to the research relationship -- Planning the interview -- Beginning the interview -- The empathic attitude of listening -- The research relationship, part II: ethics and humanity -- The good interview -- Learning from bad and difficult interviews -- Dos and don'ts of interviewing -- After the interview -- Conclusion -- Appendix A. Interview aids -- Appendix B. Sample additional questions -- Appendix C. Sample informed consent form.

Cover; Half Title Page; Title Page; Copyright Page; Epigraph; Acknowledgments; Preface; Contents; Chapter 1. The Foundations of Interviewing as Qualitative Inquiry; Epistemological Grounding; Meaning and Interpretation: The Role of Stories; The Whole and the Part-and the Whole; Co-Construction of the Interview; Situating the Interview Conceptually; Chapter 2. Introduction to the Research Relationship; Inception of the Relationship; The Relationship in the Mind; Recruitment; Volunteers; Networked Recruitment; The Challenge of Meeting, and the Dilemmas of Seeing and Being Seen.

Exercise 1. A Minute of LookingThe Dynamics of Observing; Preparing Yourself for the Interview; Entering th…