Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
1
Qualitative Interview Analysis
Jana Rückert-John
Introduction
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
2
From the data generation to qualitative
data analysis: the method “contentreductive analysis” (by Lamnek 1995)
The dependence of methods:
Method for
data collection
Research topic
Cognitive interest
Method for
data analysing
General steps for qualitative analysis
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
3
1.
2.
3.
4.
Transcription
Intra-case (single-case) analysis
Cross-case (generalised) analysis
Proof of results
Source: Lamnek 1995, p. 108-109
Step 1: Transcription
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
4
Aim: Transfer the extensive material in a
readable form
Transcription rules for non-verbal aspects
Anonymisation of personal data
Check the transcript!
Step 2: Intra-case analysis
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
5
Aim: concentration and reduction of the
material from a single interview
1. Differentiation between important and
less or unimportant aspects
2. Reducing the full text to illuminating text
passages
3. Annotation and interpretation
4. Presentation: Combination of verbal
passages and the researcher’s
interpretation
Step 3: Cross-case analysis
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
6
Aim: look for general results / findings
1. Common features
2. Differences of the interviews in regard of
the contents
3. Presentation: Description and
interpretation of several types (of
solutions to the research question) based
on the singles cases
Step 4: Proof of results
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
7
Aim: Elimination of misinterpretations
1. Using the full-transcript of the interview
2. Using the original audio-record
3. Team work for interpretation
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
8
Content-reductive analysis
(by Lamnek 1995)
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
9
Steps of the content-reductive
analysis
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Transcription
Generate the flow of contents
Generate a matrix of topics
Typifying (intra-case analysis)
Topic centred analysis (cross-case
analysis)
6. Proof of results
Example: Study “Organic food products in
eating out”
Step 2: Run of contents
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
10
Generate the flow of contents based on
the transcript!
What are the topics and keywords of the
interview material?
What are relevant text passages of the topics?
Which topic connects to the next one?
Function:
Overview about my material
chronological order of interviewees’
statements
Coherence with the interview guide plus
self-chosen topics by the interviewee
Interview guide is a guide for the analysis too
Example: Run of contents
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
11
Topics and
keywords
Relevant text passages
(quotations)
Functions of the
kitchen chef:
responsibility, creativity,
leadership, loss of control
-Buying of products
-Preparing and planning of the menu
-Instruction of the kitchen staff
Personal background:
school, education,
professional, interests,
skills, family
-Stay here since 2000
-”Before I came here, I was a kitchen chef in the
hotel [XY], near the town [XY]”.
-”There I got experiences with organic food
products. And I thought, o.k. I could practice it
also here. I still got the contacts to the supplier
and the direct seller. … So it happened”.
Motives for organic
food products: family,
health, environmental
consciousness,
-BSE crisis and other food scandals
-“We want to provide a high quality of food for
the organisation staff”.
-”High quality of food is a key factor to gain
commitment of the staff to the organisation”.
Step 3: Matrix of topics
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
12
Overview (synopsis) about all discussed
topics in all interviews
Function: Selection of “rich” interviews
(cases) for the next step of typing
Which single case does represent a special
type of people / organisation – depend on my
research question – very well?
Example: Matrix of topics
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
13
Number of Interview / Case
Topics
1
2
3
A
*
*
*
B
*
*
C
*
*
D
*
*
F
*
G
*
* Topics are represented
*
4
5
6
*
*
*
7
8
9
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
14
Step 4: Classification of the
material - Typifying
Classification = Typifying, Grouping,
Clustering
Grouping of interviewees, who are similar
or different regarding the research
question
Examples for contrast criteria:
Professional status
Sex or age
Types of organisations, e.g. eating out:
⌧ hotels / restaurants and communal feeding
⌧ Different financing in organisations of communal
feeding (public versus private)
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
15
Step 4: Classification of the
material - Typifying
How can I present the results of a case
analysis?
Bring the topics in a meaningful order
⌧ Use the question order of your interview guide
Tell a story about your case (storyline)
Combine relevant text passages
1. Paraphrasing the contents of the quotation
2. Interpreting
a. Manifest structures (factual aspects)
b. Latent structures (covert / hidden aspects)
⌧ Intra-case analyses are close to the particular
cases and their interview materials
Step 5: Topic-centred analysis
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
16
From single typical cases
to relevant topics for
all cases (cross-case analysis)
Abstracts from the single cases
Cross-case analyses are not so close to the interview
materials.
Dimensions of cross-case analysis (e.g. eating
out study):
Price strategies of the organisations
Communication strategies
Distribution strategies
Product strategies
⌧ Differentiation between restaurants, staff canteens and
social institutions (like hospitals, kindergartens)
Literature
Qualitative Research Methods
430C
Rural Sociology
with Gender
Studies
17
Lamnek, S. (1995): Qualitative Sozialforschung, Bd. 2, Methoden und
Techniken.
Bryman, A. (2004): Social Research Methods. Second Edition. Oxford:
University Press.
Silverman, D. (1997): Qualitative Research: Theory, Method and Practice.
London: Sage.
Silverman, D. (2001): Interpreting Qualitative Data. Methods for
Analysing Talk, Text and Interaction. Second Edition. London: Sage.