Interviews

The presentation by Alexander Dhoest, from the University of Antwerpen, on the methodological process of interviewing was very interesting and very appropriate for the study of cultural studies. The importance of interviews in the cultural studies field is related to the understanding of the natural environment and the perspective of culture within a focus group. The outcome of a successful interview should help the construction of a theory or prove one already established.

It is important to represent the focus group you want to study, but within that group, select random samples in order to get a more objective result. Another important detail to keep in mind when doing interviews is the way in which questions are presented. Alexander suggests that there is a first set of introductory questions. It is important for the person being interviewed to know where the result will go. What will be the objective of the study and the final product. Second, a set of questions that introduce the topic in a broader sense should be made. A third set of questions should be focused on the central topic. These questions should try to deepen in the research in a specific way that the interviewer thinks appropriate. Finally, the interviewer has to thank and explain the use of the interview to the samples.

I found his presentation very helpful in understanding how to conduct an interview. This type of resource can give a study a numerical background to support a quantitative focus, which sometimes lacks in cultural studies. At the same time, it gives the opportunity observe the construction of social identities in different environments, and what are the factors that influence in the construction of such identity.