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Conducting research interviews

Jennifer Rowley (Department of Information and Communications, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK)

Management Research Review

ISSN: 2040-8269

Article publication date: 23 March 2012

71490

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to draw on experience in supervising new researchers and the advice of other writers, to offer novice researchers, such as those engaged in study for a thesis, a pragmatic introduction to conducting research interviews.

Design/methodology/approach

After a brief introduction, the paper is organized into three main sections: designing and planning interviews, conducting interviews, and making sense of interview data. Within these sections, 11 questions often asked by novice researchers are posed and answered.

Findings

Novice interviewers need to conduct some research interviews in order to start to develop their skills in the craft of interviewing. This paper is designed to give novice interviewers the advice and support that they need before starting on this journey.

Originality/value

Other research methods texts offer advice on research interviews, but their advice is not tailored specifically to new researchers engaged in research for a thesis. They tend to offer options, but provide limited guidance on making crucial decisions in interview planning, design, conduct, and data analysis.

Keywords

Citation

Rowley, J. (2012), "Conducting research interviews", Management Research Review, Vol. 35 No. 3/4, pp. 260-271. https://doi.org/10.1108/01409171211210154

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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