• The nature of qualitative data and creative approaches to collection
• Object interviewing as a method for delving deeper
• Elites: Techniques for working with powerful and busy participants
• Data collection on the go: avoiding injury and gaining multiple data types
• Practical exercises in pairs and small groups
• Final reflections, trouble shooting and ongoing sources of support

Course Description

This course moves beyond the basics of qualitative methodology, to consider a number of advanced methods for collecting data – namely object, elite and mobile interviewing. The training will focus on the importance of methods design and fit; ethical considerations; implementation skills; overcoming challenges; and implications of the method for analysis and presenting results. Three main advance methods will be focused on, but others considered. The first is object interviewing, where a physical prompt can either be provided by the researcher or brought in by participants as a focus for the interview schedule. The second is elite interviewing, where power dynamics between the researcher and participant can demand specific techniques, as well as important practical considerations. Finally, mobile interviewing will be explored, where data is collected ‘on the move’ such as during a walk, journey or shared activity. The course is primarily designed for researchers with some understanding of basic qualitative methods, but who wish to gain practical tips for developing their skills further and extending their methodological toolkit to include a range of more specialist techniques. The course leader is an experienced social researcher who will draw on her own research and use of these methods, as well as established practice within the social sciences. Taught on campus in a small group setting, the session explains and evaluates the advanced techniques and will include examination of research case studies, and will be interspersed with practical exercises to build your own skills and confidence in them and trouble shooting. The course leader will also be happy to address specific queries raised by course participants either during the sessions or in the breaks. Please note: this course does not cover the use of computer software programmes to assist qualitative data analysis. See events run by the CAQDAS networking project at the University of Surrey for training on specific CAQDAS packages.