The Qualitative Interview: Art and Skill

The qualitative interview resembles a good conversation. What makes somebody a good discussion partner? That he listens attentively, thinks along, empathizes with what has just been said and does not interrupt. In short, someone who is empathetic and is interested. Is such a person a good interviewer by nature? No, as these characteristics form only the basis for a part of the Art referred to by the title of this book. However, the interviewer also needs additional knowledge and Skills that are discussed extensively in this book. An interview should first of all have a well-defined information goal. And only when the skills of the good discussion partner mentioned above merge with the researcher’s knowledge, do we observe the Art of interviewing referred to by the title of this book. This book was written for everybody who is professionally involved in doing qualitative interviews or is learning how to do these interviews.