Qualitative Interviewing

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Interviews are an often-used research method in qualitative-orientated research in the field of European Studies. Interviews with EU officials, national diplomats, members of the European Parliament, lobbyists and others provide scholars with unique data about the processes that take place behind the scenes. They are also an important tool to establish causal inference and connect the dots. Using interviews as a data source is, however, not without problems. Interview data are notoriously unreliable. Conducting interviews is furthermore time-intensive and therefore a costly research method. This skills training course on qualitative interviewing provides students with an in-depth insight into the strengths and weaknesses of academic interviewing. It furthermore provides students hands-on training in conducting interviews. This skills training course will be organised around three hands-on seminars during which students will learn about and practice improve their interview skills. They will read literature in preparation for the seminars and hand in a number of assignments. By conducting an interview, processing and analysing it, students get a practical introduction to qualitative interviewing. The course is assessed through a final portfolio which reflects on the preparation of the interview, selection of the interviewee, the interview process, transcription and potential analysis.