Conducting Research Interviews (P02397)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 11 ? Acronym : HEA-P-HEA

The aim of this course is to provide an opportunity to develop interview skills through practical work in the context of social science debates about the conduct of interviews. It seeks to build on the introductory practice gained in the course Research Skills in the Social Sciences: Data Collection. The approach adopted is informed by social science literature on interviewing; feminist debates on power dynamics in fieldwork; and counselling studies analyses of the inter-relatedness of self (researcher) and other (research participant).

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : This course is designed for postgraduate research students who plan to conduct research interviews and who have completed introductory research training in methods of data collection or generation, usually by taking Research Skills in the Social Sciences: Data Collection. Other students with equivalent background may be admitted by permission of the course organiser.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Counselling Studies, (School of Health in Social Science, Schedule D)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 4 hour(s) per week for 5 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to
- identify, differentiate and critically appraise the purposes and requirements of different types of research interviews
- critically evaluate their own interview skills
- conceptualise and analyse different ways of using themselves in relation to research participants in the contexts of research interviews
- conceptualise, contextualise and critically assess power dynamics and ethical issues in interviewing, and be able to implement coherent and effective strategies to address these
- have an advanced critical understanding of their capacity to embark on research interviews for their own research

Assessment Information

One 4,000 to 5,000 word essay illustrated with excerpts from fieldwork and/or recordings of interview practice made on the course. Discussion of one or more key issues/themes involved in the conduct of research interviews.