The Intersection of Cultural Context and Research Encounter: Focus on Interviewing in Qualitative Research

Abstract

This article discusses the influence of the cultural context on the interview process. With literature demonstrating the role of spatial context on interviews, the article contends that similar consideration should be given to cultural contexts of research studies. Focusing on the cultural context where the interview takes place and the interactions during the interview can help researchers understand and analyze interview material. Interview forms such as conversation/interview bombing emerged from the interaction of cultural context with the interview process. This points to the need for qualitative researchers to explore how the cultural context shapes their research encounter. Such focus will expand the literature on the forms of interview emerging from the intersection of cultural context and interviewing as well as research on spatiality and interview.