InterViews: An Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing (Paperback)

by Steinar Kvale (Author) "The qualitative research interview is a construction site of knowledge..." (more)
Key Phrases: miner metaphor, traveler metaphor, psychoanalytical interview, Thousand Oaks, New York, American Psychological Association (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Interviewing is an essential tool in qualitative research and this introduction to interviewing outlines both the theoretical underpinnings and the practical aspects of the process. After examining the role of the interview in the research process, Steinar Kvale considers some of the key philosophical issues relating to interviewing: the interview as conversation, hermeneutics, phenomenology, concerns about ethics as well as validity, and postmodernism. Having established this framework, the author then analyzes the seven stages of the interview process - from designing a study to writing it up.

About the Author
Steinar Kvale is Professor of Educational Psychology and Director of the Centre of Qualitative Research at the University of Aarhus, and adjunct faculty at Saybrook Institute, San Fransisco. He was born in Norway and and graduated from the University of Oslo. He continued his studies at the University of Heidelberg with an Alexander von Humboldt scholarship, and has been a visiting professor at Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, and West Georgia University, Carrolton, and the University of Bergen. His long-term concern has been with the implications of such continental philosophies as phenomenology, hermeneutics, and dialectics for psychology and education. He has studied examinations and grading, and is the author of Prüfung und Herrschaft (1972). He has edited Issues of Validity in Qualitative Research (1989) and Psychology and Postmodernism (1992). Together with Klaus Nielsen he has edited Mesterlære - Læring som social praksis (Apprenticeship – Learning as Social Practice, 1999) and Praktikkens læringslandskab – At lære gennem arbejde (The learning landscape of practice – Learning through work, 2003)

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc; 1 edition (March 14, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080395820X
• ISBN-13: 978-0803958203
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #392,352 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful, in-depth examination of complex research method, October 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: InterViews: An Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing (Hardcover)

Kvale has done a great service for qualitative researchers the world over. Too often we take the interview process (from conceptualization through analysis) for granted. Kvale has clearly presented an indepth analysis of the the theoretical and philosophical foundations of interviewing and the influence those foundations have on the process, the content, and the analysis of qualitative interviews. This is essential reading for any qualitative researcher and should be on the required reading lists for any course in this area.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heavy into the philosophy, May 12, 2007

By	E. Kunz - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Never performed qualitative research prior. Thought this book would be a helpful introduction. Very heavy on the theoretical side, as in making a solid case for why qualitative research is valid. I already accept its validity, wanted to know how to assess it and make it go smoothly. As I am not a serious scientist, this book had way more information than I needed. Still and all it is very informative and I would certainly recommend it if you are planning to do any work on the qualitative side and maybe need to convince your boss that it is a good idea.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Slant on Qualitative Research, October 27, 2008

By	Robert R. Kudyba "book lover" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: InterViews: An Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing (Hardcover)

Professor Steiner Kvale has written a very interesting and thought provoking book on the use of interviews in qualitative research work.

Professor Kvale discusses getting the researcher to place themselves in the subjects domain when formulating interviews. From the viewpoint of research, I feel this aspect is important for the researcher in order to frame their questions appropriately, to gain the most from their research.

The procedure for getting some people to an interview is a hard one as they lead extremely busy lives and need to be drawn to the cause of the researcher. This fact requires the researcher to spend some time structuring their questions and designing the interview. I am currently engaged in some research work and can attest to the need to make the person targetted for interviews interested in the project-otherwise you will have a hard time gaining their interest and cooperation for an interview.

I found Professor Kvale's book informative and interesting; with a great deal of useful information for gaining insight into planning interviews for research in qualitative methodology. However, the book might be difficult for some; as I found it requires some syntopical reading in order to gain a full grasp of the theoretical aspects of the craft. In this respect, I find it better not to attempt to read such a book like a novel-from cover to cover; but rather to read from various sections and gain an interesting discussion thread of the book and follow it that way.

Professor Kvale's book has a great deal of interesting information for the qualitative researcher seeking to gain information for their project, through the use of interviews. I found the book very handy with a great deal of information on interviews and their use in researching. A good list of references is also included. Well done, Professor Kvale!