When commencing to plan a study, researchers face the oftentimes challenging
task to decide on the adequate research method for their investigation problem
at hand. Since the appropriateness of a study, as well as its ability to be
accepted as scientific research, depend very much on the correct choice of the
applied research method(s), the decision process for the latter constitutes a
crucial phase of the overall research operation.
As many researchers encounter ambiguities when it comes to selecting the
suitable research technique, this paper provides a critical reflection on several
arguments for and against the employment of in-depth interviews, one of the
most common tools used in qualitative research.
The aim of this paper is, therefore, to consider the strengths and weaknesses of
in-depth interviews from various angles, in order to advance the perspicuity of
the question in which situations it is apt to use interviews as a research tool and
when to better search for alternative methods.
To arrive at this objective, four main issues have been explored through a
review of already existing literature. First, the merits of individual in-depth
interviews are examined. Then the paper addresses the question of what
possible drawbacks one may come across when selecting in-depth interviewing
as a research method. Furthermore, a short comment on the application of indepth
interviews in qualitative tourism research is given. Finally, in the
conclusions/recommendations section it is explained for which types of
investigations the in-depth interview is the appropriate research technique.
As indicated above, the main focus of this paper is not on providing a guide for
the general set-up and implication process of an in-depth interview. The main
spotlight is rather on the enhancement of the detailed knowledge of researchers
on in-depth interviews, with the ultimate goal to make a contribution to increase
the number of cases where research methods have been appropriately chosen.
Hence, a certain level of previous knowledge about in-depth interviewing is
expected from the reader in order to be able to follow the content of this paper.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction
2 The benefits of individual in-depth interviews
2.1 General aspects
2.2 The depth of data and the focus on perceptions
2.3 Individuality of in-depth interviews
2.4 Involvement of the researcher
3 Possible drawbacks of in-depth interviewing
3.1 Costs and time
3.2 Interviewer bias and interpretation
3.3 Simplification of complexity through themes
3.4 Limitation of cases and lack of interaction with peers
4 Excursion: The application of in-depth interviews in tourism research
5 Conclusions / Recommendations: When to use or avoid in-depth
interviews
Reference List
Bibliography
- Quote paper
- MSc, MA Manuel Kaar (Author), 2007, A critical investigation of the merits and drawbacks of in-depth interviews, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/186661
