Mobile interviews represent a useful tool for investigating people’s relationship with space and allows the researcher to explore issues within the context they occur. The researcher can use the environment as a prompt to discussion and the respondents can use it as an aid to illustrate the points they want to get across.  This course is designed primarily for researchers with some previous experience of qualitative interviewing who want to start using mobile methods. 

Course Description

Mobile interviews represent a useful tool for investigating people’s relationship with space and allows the researcher to explore issues within the context they occur. The researcher can use the environment as a prompt to discussion and the respondents can use it as an aid to illustrate the points they want to get across. This course is designed primarily for researchers with some previous experience of qualitative interviewing who want to start using mobile methods.

The day includes sessions exploring the different application of mobile interviews, planning routes and developing discussion guides. The teaching sessions will be interspersed with practical exercises and demonstrations aimed at getting participants to think about the practicalities of undertaking mobile interviews. Participants will be given the opportunity to undertake a practice walking interviews, experience being interviewed and observe a walking interview taking place. Issues around recording and filming interviews will also be discussed along with ethical considerations.

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.