A Discussion For Face-To-Face and Online In-depth Interviews

Abstract

In-depth interviews are the most preferred data generation technique in the data generation process of qualitative research. In-depth interviews have a structure in which the researchers establish a mutual relationship and bond with the participant and produce data together. In terms of this structure, face-to-face communication between the participant and the researcher during the data generation process is an important factor affecting the depth of the research. However, different social or individual processes experienced during the research process may not allow the participant and the researcher to interview face to face. Based on the impact of the physical distance measures created by the Covid-19 Pandemic, which emerged as an important example and trigger of this situation, on the qualitative research process, this study addresses what can be experienced while conducting online in-depth interviews, which situations may become more evident, and in the light of this information, it offers a perspective on how the participants perform in in-depth interviews. For this purpose, 24 in-depth interviews were conducted, half face-to-face and half online. In line with this practice, comparisons were made between the interviews and the effects of the modes on the course of the interviews and participant, or researcher behavior were discussed. In the evaluation based on the interviews, the interaction between the participant and the researcher was analyzed with Goffman's concepts. In this framework, the factors affecting the performance of the participants during the interview process were analyzed and it was discussed in which environment in the qualitative research process it is more useful to conduct in-depth interviews in terms of research quality.