Participants’ Experiences of the Qualitative Interview: A Multiple-Case Study

• In Event: Roundtable Session 28
  In Roundtable Session: Prioritizing Participants’ Perspectives in Qualitative Research

Abstract

This multiple-case study investigates participants’ experiences in interviews across and between six qualitative studies that differed in their aims, orientations, designs, methods, and populations. Roulston’s (2010a, 2010b) interview orientation framework guided our analyses. Findings indicated that qualitative interview research is unlikely to cause participants harm. We found no differences in participants’ articulation of benefits and risks by interview orientation. Participants experienced greater benefits when they reflected on the process, talked about personally difficult experiences, and had a trusting relationship with the researcher. We recommend that IRBs treat as real the evidence for benefits in qualitative research, recognize that risks and benefits in interview research are experienced simultaneously, and ask researchers how they will build and maintain trusting relationships with participants.

Authors

• Zeynep Erdil, University of South Florida

• Jennifer R. Wolgemuth, University of South Florida

• Tara Opsal, Colorado State University - Fort Collins

• Jennifer E. Cross, Colorado State University

• Tanya Kaanta, Colorado State University

• Ellyn M. Dickmann, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater

• Soria Elizabeth Colomer, University of South Florida