Space, Time, and Reflexive Interviewing: Implications for Qualitative Research with Active, Incarcerated, and Former Criminal Offenders

Abstract

Space and time are concepts familiar to physicists, philosophers, and social scientists; they are operationalized with varying degrees of specificity but are both heralded as important to contextualizing research and understanding individual, cultural, and historical differences in perception and the social construction of reality. Space can range from, at the macro level, geographic region, to at the micro level, the immediate physical surroundings of an individual or group of persons. Similarly, a conceptualization of time can range from era or epoch to the passing of seconds and minutes within a situational dynamic of human interaction. In this article we examine the microcosmic end of the space-time spectrum, specifically as it relates to doing qualitative interviews with current or former criminal offenders. Through a comparative discussion of interviews with incarcerated, recently released, and active offenders, we pose questions and offer insights regarding how interviewers and interviewees perceive physical space and the passage of time and, most importantly, how these perceptions relate to the interview process and resulting data. Notably, we suggest that interviewer reflexivity should take into account not only the relationship, dialogue, and discourse between interviewer and interviewee but also space and time as perceived and constructed by both parties. Finally, we offer several key strategies for incorporating these considerations into the interviewer toolkit.

Reflexivity on an Empirical Study about Cancer Patients' Perception of Good Caring in Light of Goffman's Theory

“…The aim of reflexivity is often described as a way to ensure the validity of the research. However, there are different views on reflexivity and the methods used for this purpose in the literature (Alvesson & Skölberg, 2009;Clancy, 2013;Dowling, 2006;Downing, Polzer, & Levan, 2013). Alvesson & Skölberg (2009) state that the most crucial aspect of qualitative research is not how one technically handles the different elements in the work; alternatively, what determines the value of the research is the researcher's awareness of and ability to handle the dimensions of interpretations on different levels.…”

Enfrentando a diversidade de ambientes carcerários na pesquisa em prisões: lições do meu trabalho de campo com mulheres em três prisões na Espanha

“…This episode helped me to reflect on the constructions of my commonalities with her (which initially was limited to our social construction as women), my first reaction to her rude behavior (I felt like I did not want to interview her) and the opposite feelings that arose after the interview Myers, 2003). cadernos pagu (55), 2019:e195504 Ana Ballesteros-Pena Space and other practical issues of interviews As Downing, Polzer and Levan (2013) point out it is almost indisputable that a major strength of qualitative sociological inquiry is its ability (…) to capture and understand the context in which its findings emerge. To be realized, these strengths require the investigator to pay close attention to not only what respondents have to say but also where, when, and under what circumstances they say it (Downing;Polzer;Levan, 2013:479).…”

“…Thus, space is an active participant in the research process and becomes even more prominent when research is conducted in a closed institution such as a prison (Mehta, 2014). Hence, along with the dialogue and the relationship with participants, the researcher has to consider space and time as perceived and constructed by both parties (Downing;Polzer;Levan, 2013).…”

“…Reflections on methodological and ethical issues in the social sciences, and specifically in criminology and prison research have been gradually emerging in recent decades (Bosworth et al, 2005;Calderón, 2018;Crewe, 2014;Downing;Polzer;Levan, 2013;Duarte;Gomes, 2017;Gelsthorpe, 1990;Jewkes, 2011Jewkes, , 2014Liebling, 2001;Lumsden;Winter, 2014;Myers, 2003;Phillips;Earle, 2010;Piacentini, 2013;Schlosser, 2008). However, few writings are found about these issues in the academic literature, which is partially explained by the traditional predominance of quantitative methodology, which is often considered the most valid and rigorous, and by an approach that sacralizes a particular concept of objectivity and distance to the object as key aspects of scientific research (Flavin, 2001;Gelsthorpe, 1990;Jewkes, 2011;Renzetti, 2013).…”

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“…Reflexive interviews are described in the literature as tools of social transformation (Puigvert, 2014), describing culture and challenging people to be free of discrimination (Denzin, 2001). Reflexive interviews can explore ethical issues beyond what is required by a research institution (Robertson, 2012) and facilitate thought formation about past events (Downing, Polzer, & Levan, 2013). They are described as cinematic; reflexive interviews provide a way of talking about the world where meaning is performed as if in a movie or play (Denzin, 2001).…”