Calibrating the Human Instrument: Understanding the Interviewing Experience of Novice Qualitative Researchers

摘要: Lincoln and Guba (1985) first introduced the concept of human being as research instrument to stress uniqueness researchers' role in process scientific inquiry. This lies notion that only people construct bring meaning into world through their qualities sensitivity, responsiveness flexibility, making them most appropriate for inquiries aiming arrive at understanding, meaning, promotion critical awareness, emancipation, movement toward deconstruction or decolonization. The primary point interest qualitative inquiry, specifically, is understanding a phenomenon from perspective those under study. Nevertheless, researcher, consciously unconsciously, brings setting his her own predispositions, assumptions beliefs, which may align diverge study participants. especially true if researcher has strong affinity with population topic subjectivity propensity bias it pertains been discussed by community several decades (and perhaps longer). Some authors (e.g., Peshkin, 1988; Heron & Reason, 1997) argue "subjectivity" is, fact, advantageous "can be seen virtuous, basis researchers distinctive contribution, one results unique configuration personal joined data they have collected" (Peshkin, 1988, p. 18), can help become better equipped see others see. Other scholars (Denzin, 1989; Scheurich, 1994; Mehra, 2002) purport put disadvantage limiting ability "accidentally step into" realm beyond experiencing it. Literature on methodologies discusses reflexivity technique use address even guard against bias. Various suggest keeping reflective journals (Borg, 2001; Janesick, 1999; Ortlipp, 2008; Watt, 2007) writing within (Jasper, 2005) tools allowing draw line between observable phenomenon. However, there are proportionally less studies explore actual experiences novice undergoing what could considered calibration process, initial attempts reflexive practice. As ourselves, we feel an interesting question, how comes realization one's subjectivity, predisposition bias, i.e. reflexivity. Such possible context acquiring hands-on experience, where faces challenge predispositions interfering In attempting this subject, felt (our assumption) informants such would who might more prone influenced least aware it, than seasoned researchers. Furthermore, though all (ideally) try make experience regardless level proficiency, novices acute due steep learning curve occurs beginning journey. Therefore, exploring potentially provide fresh valuable insights self-adjustment takes place instrument. light above, posed following question guide our inquiry among researchers: do perceive themselves gaining interviewing experience? …