Problem-centered interview

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The problem-centered interview (ger .: a problem-centered interview ) is a survey method of qualitative research , the data requested by respondents (and evaluated) are. The focus is on the experiences, perceptions and reflections of the respondents on a very specific problem (topic). The method was introduced in 1982 by Andreas Witzel . The problem-centered interview was initially established as a method of biography research, but is now also used in other areas of social research.

Open questions are asked on the basis of a guideline, so no fixed dimensions and categories (in the form of so-called items) are asked in the problem-centered interview. Thus, this interview distinguishes itself from quantitative methods, but shows a significantly higher degree of structuring than narrative interviews and is assigned to the category of semi-standardized interviews. Although it is part of the qualitative methods of social research, the guideline-based interview is supplemented with this survey method by a short questionnaire, which has the function of collecting biographical and social background data of the respondents. The key questions of the problem-centered interview have the function of providing impulses for a free narration by the interview partner, but should also enable the interviewee to build on the respondent's narration and relate the interview to the problem. This is where the problem-centered interview also differs from the narrative interview , in which the narrative and inquiry phases are strictly separated.

Problem centering, object and process orientation are important for the method. Short questionnaires, interview guidelines and postscript are the complementary instruments of problem-centered interviews.

As far as the evaluation is concerned, the concept of the problem-centered interview does not make any strict specifications. However, Andreas Witzel initially suggests individual case analyzes on the basis of a relatively large number of cases and a type formation based on this.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Andreas Witzel: The problem-centered interview, in Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 1 (1), Art. 22, 2000, accessed on December 11, 2009

literature

  • Scheibelhofer, Elisabeth: Combining Narration-Based Interviews with Topical Interviews: Methodological Reflections on Research Practices . In: International Journal of Social Research Methodology . 2008, ISSN  1364-5579 , doi : 10.1080 / 13645570701401370 .
  • Witzel, Andreas: Method of qualitative social research. Overview and alternatives . Campus Verlag, Frankfurt a. M. 1982, ISBN 3-593-33173-X .
  • Witzel, Andreas and Reiter, Herwig: The problem-centered interview. London / Thousand Oaks, Ca./New Delhi / Singapore 2012, ISBN 978-1-84920-100-1 .