Observational interview

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The observation interview is a relatively new method of empirical social research . It can be assigned to the qualitative survey techniques and represents a combination of participatory observation and interview .

target

The method has been used since around the 1980s in the context of industrial sociology to examine work situations for typical, person-independent characteristics. The primary goal is a meaningful understanding of the actors. For this purpose, the observations are supplemented by conversations with the workers in order to be able to grasp social meanings and complex elements of experience that remain closed to pure observation.

method

The procedure for the observation interview is open, but only partially participating. Since specific details (including those that are stressful for the employee) may come to light during the analysis of the workplace situation, it is important to establish a relationship of trust between the investigators and the investigators. In particular, the fact that research is aimed at the workplace and not at people must be credibly communicated.

When selecting people, care should be taken to ensure that they are as typical as possible for the job in terms of qualification level, career progression or length of service with the company. In order to ensure a comprehensive insight into the work situation, several people at the same workplace (e.g. when working in shifts) or in different departments, or better still in different organizations, should be included in the investigation. Observing the handling of different situations (malfunctions, difficult work) rounds off the picture of the workplace.

In the observation interview, the observers are led by the observed. It should be avoided to influence the examined persons in their actions. The observed persons determine what is done, explain whether this is an everyday or special work and when the observation is interrupted. The examining persons do not intervene in the work process. At the end of the day or the shift, they can be informed about typical and atypical situations of the working day or the work shift.

The observation interview ends when further observations and interviews do not provide any new information.

Question types

Common questions in the observation interview are aimed at:

  • Possibilities of deviating actions and decisions and their consequences
  • the framework conditions of various situations
  • the consequences of decisions
  • Relationships between the actions of the observed person and other employees

Data processing

As usual with observations, the data is written down as soon as possible after the experience. A permanent review of the results enables you to find places that are still in the dark. The interpretation of the data takes place with regard to the quality characteristic of intersubjectivity in the research team.

literature

  • Kuhlmann, M. (2002): Observational Interview . In: Kühl, S., Strodtholz, P .: Methods of Organizational Research. A manual. Reinbek near Hamburg: rowohlt's encyclopedia.
  • Dunckel, H. (1999): Handbook of psychological work analysis methods . Zurich: vdf Hochschulverlag AG at the ETH Zurich.