Ethical Dilemmas in Personal Interviewing

Abstract

There are many issues of ethics and openness in elite interviewing that I have learned how to deal with through the years.Thanks to Beth L. Leech, Rutgers University, for including me in this workshop. I learned a lot listening to my fellow interviewers and gleaning wisdom from their experiences. Thanks also to Jeffrey Berry and the Political Organizations and Parties Section of APSA for putting the workshop on. My work has focused on people who cause trouble: protesters, litigants, defendants, sidewalk counselors, rescuers, and abortion providers, to name a few. Of course, in dealing with people you are studying you must be honest and ethical. It is important to remember that their activism comes from something they deeply feel. Their activism is because of their beliefs, opinions, experiences, and sense of community. They do not exist as activists so that you can add more lines to your vita or finish your dissertation. You must leave them in the same position in which you found them. You must do no harm to them.

Elite interviews: critical practice and tourism

“…In contrast to non-elites, elites are often wary about what is put on public record since some of the information they provide can be damaging to their influence and offices, and they may therefore attempt to negotiate these in some cases (Kezar, 2003;Woliver, 2002). Herod (1999, p. 324) had to deal with such a dilemma of 'naming of names to give authorial possession to particular comments or pieces of information in order to maintain a critical perspective', whilst contemplating his 'betrayal' of the trust interviewees reposed in him.…”

The Truth about Interviewing Elites

“…He used different terms depending on whom he was talking to in his study of trade unions: ‘when interviewing managers I tend to use the term “employee” ... rather than “worker” which may raise questions about my own politics and thus limit the types of information to which I am given access because I am, perhaps, seen as less sympathetic to managers' goals’ (p. 319). Laura Woliver (2002) notes how the responses she got from interviews with ‘pro‐choice’ respondents in a study of reproductive issues probably depended on their perception of her own position. She managed this by deflecting the question of whether she is ‘pro‐life or not’ when asked.…”

“…Gaining access to reluctant respondents is also relevant, and covered above (Desmond, 2004; Sabot, 1999; Smith, 2006; Walford, 1994). There are also recommendations on how to ‘take charge’ of the interview agenda (Leech, 2002; Lilleker, 2003; Pollitt et al., 1990; Woliver, 2002), when the respondent wants to move it (Ball, 1994; Phillips, 1998) and how to get reticent people to talk (Dexter, 1970; Richards, 1996). Silence can produce social discomfort and the respondent should be the one who breaks the silence (Berry, 2002; King, 2004).…”

“…To help address some of these challenges a number of sources on interviewing elites include ‘how to’ tips – how to gain access (Burnham et al., 2004; Dexter, 1970; Lilleker, 2003; Richards, 1996); how to present yourself as ‘researcher’ (Batteson and Ball, 1995; Berry, 2002; Burnham et al., 2004; Dexter, 1970; Herod, 1999; Leech, 2002; Lilleker, 2003; Richards, 1996; Sabot, 1999); how to ask questions (Berry, 2002; Leech, 2002; Woliver, 2002); how to interpret responses (Berry, 2002; Goldstein, 2002); and relatively few on how to write up data (Aberbach and Rockman, 2002; Gusterson, 1995). Together these provide helpful guidance on the actual process of interviewing.…”

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Latin America - La autolesión en América Latina

“…During this period of field work, a systematic search on NSSI in Latin America was conducted of the international press as well as the popular local press, television broadcasts, Internet sites (ASeFO; Ligaçãoteen) and blogs. Semi-structured elite interviews 8,9 were conducted of several first-aid attendants, two psychologists in a psychiatric hospital, one independent psychologist and one professor in clinical psychology, all situated in Belo Horizonte. Spontaneous conversations on NSSI took place with local inhabitants whenever the opportunity arose.…”