Relational Inquiries and the Research Interview

Abstract

In this article we describe some of the challenges and constraints that students face when they engage in qualitative research interviews. We borrow extensively from Ron Pelias’ in-depth description of leaning in during everyday life encounters. Although he refers to other kinds of relationships, we believe that the similarities are too important to overlook when it comes to the qualitative research interview. We begin the discussion by identifying what we believe are the main challenges facing novice qualitative researchers. Issues of professional identities, objectivity, relational engagement, and inherited understandings of what counts as research are highlighted. This article will be useful for graduate students engaged in narrative, ethnographic, and auto-ethnographic methodologies as well as other inquiries that require deeply relational processes. Recommendations for the kinds of supervisory conversations that may be helpful are included.