A Review on Qualitative Interviews in Nonprofit Sector Research: Guidelines for Sampling, Interview questions, and Settings.

• In Event: Revisiting third sector literature

Abstract

Qualitative interviews are among the most popular empirical research methods used in Nonprofit Sector Research, either as a solitary data-collection technique within or mixed with other qualitative and quantitative approaches (for example, ethnographic studies or a case study). In 2022, at the 15th ISTR conference in Montreal, we noticed a lot of uncertainty and confusion regarding how to conduct a qualitative interview study and how to report it properly. Surprisingly, we found only a few methodological articles on qualitative interviews as a method for nonprofit sector research, while looking for orientation.
However, qualitative interviews as a research method in the nonprofit sector have not yet been reviewed, and there is a lack of guidance on conducting such interviews that consider the unique characteristics of the field.
Recently, McMullin (2021) discussed the challenges and implications of audio transcription for qualitative research in the nonprofit sector. Breeze (2021) provides information on how to interview elite donors, and Glover (2004) focuses on narrative inquiry in grassroots organizations. Several articles have highlighted the challenges of ethnography, including ethical issues in nonprofit sector research (Beaton, 2022; Hagan, 2021; Oreg & Babis, 2021).
The objectives of this study were twofold. First, we will review relevant research articles published in the past 20 years in the three leading journals on Nonprofit Sector Research (Nonprofit Management & Leadership, Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, and Voluntas) to examine the description of qualitative interviews in the methodology section. Second, we will discuss how the specific characteristics of the field can be considered in the research process; specifically in the selection process, in developing interview questions and in the interview setting. By providing methodological and practical guidance and recommendations for reporting, this article aims to contribute to the methodological foundation of nonprofit sector research.
This article is one of the two that cater to the topic of qualitative interviews within the nonprofit sector. The second article will primarily focus on the process and the reporting of text analysis.
Qualitative interviews are a broad field covering a wide range of interview types and styles. Several research handbooks (Brinkmann & Kvale, 2015; Denzin & Lincoln, 2011; Flick, 2018; Kruse, 2014) offer advice on how to conduct interviews to obtain high-quality data. However, there are some specifics and challenges in the non-profit sector that will be addressed specifically.
In some cases, powerful actors and institutions are to be researched (Alvesalo-Kuusi & Whyte, 2017; Breeze, 2021), however often interviewees are vulnerable groups (e.g., clients who are cognitive, socially, emotionally, or economically vulnerable (Bertel et al., 2022; Bjarnason, 2009; Halme et al., 2022; Nikidehaghani et al., 2023) and organizational members that are politically vulnerable (Gorwa & Howard, 2018)). Another challenge we address is the role of researchers and their privileged knowledge (Lynch, 2000). After discussing the challenges, we will provide guidelines on how to conduct and report qualitative interviews in the nonprofit sector, thus providing researchers with guidance and putting nonprofit sector research forward.

References

Alvesalo-Kuusi, A., & Whyte, D. (2017). Researching the Powerful: A Call for the Reconstruction of Research Ethics. Sociological Research Online. https://doi.org/10.1177/1360780417747000
Beaton, E. E. (2022). Ethnography: Tales of the Nonprofit Field. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 33(6), 1196–1203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-021-00394-y
Bertel, D., Edwards, J., Seiger, F., & Resch, J. (2022). Ethische Überlegungen zur Forschung mit vulnerablen Gruppen. Ein Leitfaden für Forscher*innen und Praktiker*innen.
Bjarnason, D. S. (2009). Walking on eggshells: Some ethical issues in research with people in vulnerable situations. Educare, 4, 19–33.
Breeze, B. (2021). Interviewing Elite Donors: Gaining Access, Developing Rapport and Dealing with the Dazzle. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-021-00390-2
Brinkmann, S., & Kvale, S. (2015). InterViews: Learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing (Third edition). SAGE Publications, Inc.
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Gorwa, R., & Howard, P. N. (2018). Studying Politically Vulnerable Communities Online: Ethical Dilemmas, Questions, and Solutions. arXiv: Computers and Society. https://typeset.io/papers/studying-politically-vulnerable-communities-online-ethical-13psu7hylc
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Oreg, A., & Babis, D. (2021). Digital Ethnography in Third Sector Research. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11266-021-00397-9

Authors

• Anahid Aghamanoukjan, FernFH Distance Learning University of Applied Science

• Barbara Prazak-Aram, FERNFH Distance-Learning University of Applied Sciences