Methodological Pluralism and the Possibilities and Limits of Interviewing

Against the background of recent methodological debates pitting ethnography against interviewing, this paper offers a defense of the latter and argues for methodological pluralism and pragmatism and against methodological tribalism. Drawing on our own work and on other sources, we discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses of interviewing. We argue that concern over whether attitudes correspond to behavior is an overly narrow and misguided question. Instead we offer that we should instead consider what interviewing and other data gathering techniques are best suited for. In our own work, we suggest, we have used somewhat unusual interviewing techniques to reveal how institutional systems and the construction of social categories, boundaries, and status hierarchies organize social experience. We also point to new methodological challenges, particularly concerning the incorporation of historical and institutional dimensions into interview-based studies. We finally describe fruitful directions for future research, which may result in methodological advances while bringing together the strengths of various data collection techniques. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New York

Observations from Canadian practitioners about the investigation and prosecution of crimes involving child and adult witnesses

Hundreds of scientific studies on the competencies and limitations of eyewitnesses have been published, but few have sought input from front-line forensic interviewers. In the current study, a research agenda was established with in-depth input from 13 forensic interviewers. Interviewers indicated which techniques they use most often, rated the usefulness of various interview techniques, and disclosed common challenges when interviewing. Although many recommended techniques were used (e.g., the Cognitive Interview and Rapport Building), some techniques shown to be effective in eliciting quality testimony in scientific studies were not always used or considered useful by front-line interviewers (e.g., permission to correct the interviewer, permission to say ‘I don’t know’). Key areas were identified to guide future research (e.g., techniques when interviewing very young children, witnesses with developmental delays)

Using micro-analysis in interviewer training: 'continuers' and interviewer positioning

Despite the recent growth of interest in the interactional construction of research interviews and advances made in our understanding of the nature of such encounters, relatively little attention has been paid to the implications of this for interviewer training, with the result that advice on interviewing techniques tends to be very general. Drawing on analyses of a feature of research interviews that is usually treated as analytically insignificant, this article makes a case for more interactionally sensitive approaches to interviewer training. It focuses on interviewer recipiency in a database of over 40 research interviews conducted by academics and research students to show how apparently insignificant shifts in receipt tokens can have important implications in terms of the developing talk. The implications of this for researcher training are discussed and the article makes recommendations for ways in which attention can be drawn to the discoursal dimension in interviewing practice

Philosophy with children : helping designers cooperate with children

Engaging children in design through in-depth interviews is coming to prominence in the IDC community, which increasingly engages with issues about understanding the children's world. To date, research in this area has primarily focused on engaging children using techniques somehow similar to adult-techniques (moodboards, brainstorming, laddering,...). However, questioning or interviewing children is fraught with difficulties. The proposed workshop seeks to explore where and how a philosophy with children methodology can be adapted for design, exploring themes such as Socratic Attitudes, wondering, and question types. This workshop aims to build an interdisciplinary community of researchers, designers, and practitioners to share and discuss their work and experiences

Reducing weight and increasing physical activity in people at high risk of cardiovascular disease: a randomised controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of enhanced motivational interviewing intervention with usual care.

OBJECTIVE: The epidemic of obesity is contributing to the increasing prevalence of people at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), negating the medical advances in reducing CVD mortality. We compared the clinical and cost-effectiveness of an intensive lifestyle intervention consisting of enhanced motivational interviewing in reducing weight and increasing physical activity for patients at high risk of CVD. METHODS: A three-arm, single-blind, parallel-group randomised controlled trial was conducted in consenting primary care centres in south London. We recruited patients aged 40-74 years with a QRisk2 score ≥20.0%, which indicates the probability of having a CVD event in the next 10 years. The intervention was enhanced motivational interviewing which included additional behaviour change techniques and was delivered by health trainers in 10 sessions over 1 year, in either group (n=697) or individual (n=523) format. The third arm received usual care (UC; n=522). The primary outcomes were physical activity (mean steps/day) and weight (kg). Secondary outcomes were changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and CVD risk score. We estimated the relative cost-effectiveness of each intervention. RESULTS: At 24 months, the group and individual interventions were not more effective than UC in increasing physical activity (mean difference=70.05 steps, 95% CI -288.00 to 147.90 and mean difference=7.24 steps, 95% CI -224.01 to 238.50, respectively), reducing weight (mean difference=-0.03 kg, 95% CI -0.49 to 0.44 and mean difference=-0.42 kg, 95% CI -0.93 to 0.09, respectively) or improving any secondary outcomes. The group and individual interventions were not cost-effective at conventional thresholds. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing motivational interviewing with additional behaviour change techniques was not effective in reducing weight or increasing physical activity in those at high CVD risk

A Toolkit of Motivational Skills: How to Help Others Reach for Change

A Toolkit of Motivational Skills, Third Edition, draws on the latest research to show how the Motivational Interviewing approach can be effectively utilized to draw out and sustain an individual’s internal motivation for behavioral change. • Updated with a wide range of applications and practical examples of motivational techniques which have effectively helped others to change • Updated with a wide range of applications and practical examples of motivational techniques which have effectively helped others to change • Features a variety of supplemental resources including 16 online video examples of MI in action, with a workbook chapter that helps readers analyse each video in detail • Includes new illustrations and diagrams designed to amplify the text and make it an engaging and enjoyable reading experienc

The Five Accomplishments: A Framework for Obtaining Customer Feedback in a Health Service Community Learning Disability Team

The usefulness of using the philosophy of normalisation and, in particular, O`Brien`s (1992) Five Accomplishments as a basis for evaluating client satisfaction with a community based health service learning disabilities team was examined. A survey of a group of people with mild learning disabilities took place using the Five Accomplishments as a framework for a semi-structured interview. Areas of client satisfaction and dissatisfaction are discussed in the context of the use of a value-based means of obtaining feedback from clients. Limitations of interviewing techniques and specifically those used in this study are reviewed

Group Motivational Interviewing as a Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Dual Diagnosis Patients Living with a Psychotic Disorder: Critique of the Literature

Studies indicate that 50% of individuals living with a psychotic disorder also meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for substance abuse disorder during their lifetime (Green, Drake, Brunette, & Noordsy, 2007; Thornton, Baker, Johnson, Kay-Lambkin, & Lewin, 2011). With such high rates of substance abuse among individuals living with a psychotic disorder the need for empirically based and salient psychotherapeutic interventions such a Motivational Interviewing (MI) cannot be overstated. MI is a person centered approach to psychotherapy that encourages behavior change through the resolution of ambivalence (Miller & Rollnick, 2002; Prochaska & Norcross, 2010). Dual diagnosis patients living with a psychotic present with needs that may make MI difficult to administer therefore, various MI techniques are restructured to better accommodate the multicultural needs of dually diagnosed individuals. The critique of seven studies found that modified MI techniques administered in a group format had a positive effect on reducing substance use and improving overall patient functioning for dually diagnosed patients living with a psychotic disorder. Studies indicate that 50% of individuals living with a psychotic disorder also meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for substance abuse disorder during their lifetime (Green, Drake, Brunette, & Noordsy, 2007; Thornton, Baker, Johnson, Kay-Lambkin, & Lewin, 2011). With such high rates of substance abuse among individuals living with a psychotic disorder the need for empirically based and salient psychotherapeutic interventions such a Motivational Interviewing (MI) cannot be overstated. MI is a person centered approach to psychotherapy that encourages behavior change through the resolution of ambivalence (Miller & Rollnick, 2002; Prochaska & Norcross, 2010). Dual diagnosis patients living with a psychotic present with needs that may make MI difficult to administer therefore, various MI techniques are restructured to better accommodate the multicultural needs of dually diagnosed individuals. The critique of seven studies found that modified MI techniques administered in a group format had a positive effect on reducing substance use and improving overall patient functioning for dually diagnosed patients living with a psychotic disorder

Successful Interviewing Guide, November 7, 2011

Most employers want to treat job applicants fairly and without prejudice. All employers want to hire the most qualified person for the job. Both goals can be met when the employer is versed in effective techniques for interviewing job applicants. In regard to fairness, it’s easy to recite the reasons why fair and effective interviewing can ometimes seem elusive. Laws and regulations, and their interpretation by courts and egulators, are constantly changing

Importance of Motivational Interviewing Therapeutic Techniques in Audiology Clinical Work

Hearing loss affects individuals, not just in a physical manner but in an emotional one. The beginning of a sensory loss is a form of psychological trauma that may cause shock and confusion. These emotional and psychological changes may create a reduced quality of life and increased social isolation. Individuals who are learning about their particular hearing loss or using hearing aids for the first time are likely to go through various emotions, which may include embarrassment, frustration, anxiety, depression, or fatigue which may affect how they interact socially. It is important that audiologists understand the necessity of counseling for individuals, as they are most likely going through new emotions and are not sure how best to cope with their new situation. Clinicians do not have training with therapeutic techniques and counseling strategies, and a minimum of a broad understanding of therapeutic techniques would help to provide clients with the best possible outcomes for reducing the negative impact of their hearing impairments