Interviewing in Depth: The Interactive-Relational Approach

In-depth interviews are used extensively across the social sciences by qualitative researchers and professionals. The traditional, empirical interview does not develop a relationship between the interviewer and interviewee and minimizes the interviewers personal reaction to the interviewee. In many cases, this interviewing style is appropriate and sufficient for gathering data. However, what if the interviewer seeks a more profound exploration and fuller understanding of the individual being studied?

This volume presents a valuable alternative interviewing approach - the interactive-relational - that promotes a clearer, deeper portrait of the person interviewed. This technique encourages the interviewer to participate more