Qualitative Interviewing
A Practical Guide to Theory, Concepts, and Methods

Edited by:

Michelle O'Reilly - University of Leicester, UK, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, UK
Jessica Nina Lester - Indiana University, USA
Kathryn Roulston - University of Georgia, USA

Other Titles in:
Interviewing | Qualitative Methods | Sociological Research Methods

February 2027 | 304 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

This practical text guides qualitative researchers and students in doing a study that involves interviewing as a form of data collection. Expert chapter authors demonstrate the practical concerns of planning an interview study and provide an understanding of the different types of interview and how those types are aligned to particular methodologies and theories within qualitative inquiry. Chapters also contemplate the value of using tools to support the interview data collection process, such as participatory techniques, the use of online modalities, and the value and critiques of incorporating artificial intelligence in interview research.

List of Boxes

List of Tables

List of Figures

Acknowledgements

Editor Biographies

Contributor Biographies

Preface

Introduction

Focus of This Book

Aims

Language

Audiences

Structure of The Book

Conclusion

Part 1: Planning A Qualitative Study Using Interviews

Michelle O’Reilly, Jessica Nina Lester, and Kathryn Roulston

Chapter 1: Introduction To Qualitative Interview Research

Introduction

Overview of The Qualitative Interview

Planning

Practical Steps

Conclusion And Reflection

References

Jessica Nina Lester, Michelle O’Reilly, and Kathryn Roulston

Chapter 2: The Importance of Planning The Interview

Introduction

Engaging the Literature: Substantive and Methodological Foundations

Developing Research Questions

Identifying a Methodology

Developing Interview Questions and Piloting Interview Schedules

Sampling and Recruitment Considerations

Ethical Considerations in Planning

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Kathryn Roulston, Michelle O’Reilly, Jessica Nina Lester, and Nikki Kiyimba

Chapter 3: Collecting Data: Researcher Generated Versus Naturally Occurring Interviews

Introduction

Overview of Approach

Methods of Generating Qualitative Data

The Role of Theory

Naturally Occurring Data

Planning

Ethical Approval

Analytic Methods

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Michelle O’Reilly, Jessica Nina Lester, and Kathryn Roulston

Chapter 4: The Ethics of Conducting Qualitative Interviews

Introduction

Overview of Ethics in Research

The Role of Theory

Planning

Practical Steps

Ethics in Practice

Researcher Safety

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Judith Eckert

Chapter 5: Reflexivity In Interviewing: A Data-Driven Approach To Gaining A Deeper Understanding Of Your Research

Introduction

Overview of Reflexivity

The Role of Theory

Planning

Practical Steps

Ethical Concerns

Conclusion and Reflection

Part 2: Anchoring Interviews to Methodology

Matthew T. Prior

Chapter 6: Narrative Interviews

Introduction

Overview of Narrative Interviewing

The Role of Theory

Planning a Narrative Interview

Writing a Narrative Interview Guide

Practical Steps in Conducting Narrative Interviews

Analyzing Narrative Interview Data

Ethical Concerns

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Michelle O’Reilly & Kathryn Roulston

Chapter 7: Reflective Interviews

Introduction

Overview of Reflective Interviews

The Role of Theory

Planning a Reflective Interview

Writing an Interview Guide

Practical Steps in Doing Reflective Interviews

Analyzing Reflective Interview Data

Ethical Concerns

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Chad R. Lochmiller

Chapter 8: Empathy Interviews: Learning From Experience

Introduction

Overview of Empathy Interviews

Planning an Empathy Interview

Developing an Interview Guide

Practical Steps in Doing Empathy Interviews / Activities

Analyzing Empathy Interview Data

Ethical Concerns

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Megan K. Mitchell & Audra Skukauskaite

Chapter 9: Ethnographic Interviewing

Introduction

Overview of Ethnographic Interviewing

Theory in Ethnography and Ethnographic Interviewing

Kinds of Ethnographic Interviewing

Planning an Ethnographic Interview

Writing an Interview Guide

Practical Steps in Doing Ethnographic Interviews

Analyzing Ethnographic Interview Data

Ethical Concerns

Interviews Are Not Enough

Conclusion and Invitation to Reflection

References

Nikki Kiyimba

Chapter 10: Naturally Occurring Interviews

Introduction

Overview of Naturally Occurring Data

The Theory of Questions and Interviews

Research Reasons for Accessing Naturally Occurring Interviews

Temporal Differences in Collecting Naturally Occurring Interviews

Talk, Text, and Symbol

Practical Steps in Accessing Naturally Occurring Interviews

Analyzing Naturally Occurring Interview Data

Ethical Considerations

Conclusion and Reflections

References

Trayc D. Freeman & Derrick P. Alridge

Chapter 11: In The Field: Oral History Methods and Oral Tradition with Civil Rights Era Teachers

Introduction

Oral Histories as Organic and Communal Sources

Lessons from the Field

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Gabriele Griffin

Chapter 12: Feminist Interviews: From Margin to Mainstream

Introduction

Overview of Feminist Interviews and Feminist Interviewing

The Role of Theory

Planning a Feminist Interview

Writing an Interview Guide

Practical Steps in Doing Feminist Interviews

Analyzing Feminist Interview Data

Ethical Concerns

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Massimiliano Sommantico, Philip John Archard, and Amina Adan

Chapter 13: Psychoanalytically Informed Research Interviews

Introduction

The Free Association Narrative Interview Method as Psychoanalytically Informed Approach

Research Participants (and Researchers) as Defended Psychosocial Subjects

Planning Psychoanalytically Informed Interviews

Doing and Reflecting on Psychoanalytically Informed Interviews

Analyzing Data Using a Psychoanalytically Informed Approach

Ethical Considerations

Additional Considerations in Relation to Psychoanalytically Informed Interviewing

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Mark D. Vagle and Jen Clifden

Chapter 14: Phenomenological Interviewing

Introduction

Overview of Phenomenological Interviewing

The Role of Theory in Phenomenological Interviewing

Planning a Phenomenological Interview

Practical Steps in Doing Phenomenological Interviews

Analyzing Phenomenological Interview Data

Conclusion

References

Jennifer R. Wolgemuth and Lorien S. Jordan

Chapter 15: Interviews (That) Transform Lives: Dialoguing For Change

Introduction

Overview of Transformative Interviews

Theorizing the Transformative Interivew

Planning a Transformative Interview

Creating an Interview Guide for Transformative Interviews

Considerations for Conducting Transformative Interviews

Analyzing Transformative Interview Data

Ethical Considerations for Transformative Interviews

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Michelle O’Reilly, Jessica Nina Lester, and Kathryn Roulston

Chapter 16: The Generic Qualitative Inquiry Interview: The Waters Are Still Muddy

Introduction

Overview of the Generic Qualitative Inquiry Interview

The Role of Theory

Planning Generic Qualitative Inquiry Interviews

Writing an Interview Guide

Practical Steps for Doing Generic Qualitative Interviews

Analyzing Generic Qualitative Interview Data

Critiques

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Part 3: Supporting Interview Data Collection

Hayley Trowbridge, Ellen Taylor-Bower, Ioana L. Dobre, Molly Rigby, Laura Shobiye, and Diane T. Levine

Chapter 17: Participatory Interviewing

Introduction

Overview of Participatory Interviewing

The Role of Theory

Introducing the Vignettes

Planning to Carry Out Participatory Interviews

Practical Steps in Conducting Participatory Interviews

Ethical Concerns in Participatory Interviewing

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Janie Copple

Chapter 18: Beyond Elicitation: Considering The Possibilities of Object Interviews in Qualitative Research

Introduction

Overview of Object Interviews

The Role of Theory

Planning

Practical Tips

Analysis in Object Interviews

Ethical Concerns

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Alison Bravington

Chapter 19: Graphic Elicitation Interviews

Introduction

Overview of Graphic Elicitation

The Role of Theory

Planning

Practical Steps

Ethical Concerns

Transcription and Analysis of Graphic Elicitation Interviews

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Liv Furman, Priyanka Jayakodi, and Vivek Vellanki

Chapter 20: Listening With Your Whole Body: Interviews As Creative, Affective, And Relational Practice

Introduction

Creating with and Through Stories: A Conversation with Liv Furman

Listening with Your Eyes: a Conversation with Priyanka Jayakodi

What Does It Mean to Listen with Our Whole Bodies?

References

Janet Salmons

Chapter 21: Seeing The Answer: Visual Interviews Online

Introduction

What Are Visual Research Methodologies?

Multimodal Online Communication and Research Interviews

How Can We Use These Affordances to Collect Research Data?

Whose Images Are Discussed?

Prepare for an Online Interview with Visual Methods

Prepare for Multimodal Video Interviews.

Conclusion and Reflections

References

Michelle O’Reilly, Jason Hughes, and Kathryn Roulston

Chapter 22: Using Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Qualitative Interview Research

Introduction

Qualitative Interview Research and Gen Ai

Planning to Use Ai in Interviewing

Practical Steps

Coding and Analysis

Ethical Concerns

Conclusion and Reflection

References

Qualitative Interviewing explores a wide range of qualitative interviewing methods, offering practical guidance on planning, conducting, and analyzing interviews. Moreover, the discussion of ethical considerations makes it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced researchers.

Craig M. McGill

Kansas State University

I had long searched for a qualitative interviewing textbook for students, and within the first few pages, I knew this was the one. I was impressed by its broad coverage and thoughtful attention to interviews with women and people of color.

Amy L. Chapman

Arizona State University

The editors have done an excellent job structuring the book in a holistic way—from concept to data collection—that offers diversities of engagements with interviewing while also considering essential concepts such as reflexivity and practical applications.

Stephanie Anne Shelton

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This book provides a thoughtful and needed approach to interviewing. The editors make a compelling argument in parsing the difference between interviewing as a method and interviewing as part of a methodology that strategically aligns with other perspectives. Moreover, they emphasize earlier distinctions in approaches and how important those distinctions are.

Allison D. Anders

University of South Carolina

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