S01:E11
This podcast explores interview research as a powerful method for uncovering the “why” behind human behavior and opinions. The hosts reference sociologist Michael Kimmel’s work interviewing 400 young men to illustrate how in-depth conversations can reveal insights that statistics alone might miss.
The conversation distinguishes between qualitative interviews (flexible, semi-structured for depth) and quantitative interviews (highly standardized for statistical analysis). The hosts explain the interviewer’s critical role in preparation, building rapport, motivating participants, and ensuring quality data collection. They provide practical guidance on creating effective interview guides, asking good questions, and conducting interviews ethically.
The episode addresses important considerations like location, power dynamics, and researcher reflexivity, along with practical challenges such as recording, transcription, and coding for analysis. The hosts discuss how focus groups differ from one-on-one interviews and how technology is changing interview methods. Throughout, they emphasize that interviewing is both a science and an art requiring systematic approach combined with interpersonal sensitivity.
This podcast was generated using NotebookLM.