The Free Attitude Interview

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Free Attitude Interview Manual - 1

The Free Attitude Interview Ineke Buskens

The Free Attitude Interview in context The term Free Attitude Interview technique is a translation of the Dutch term: "Vrije Attitude Gesprek" as used by Vrolijk, Dijkema and Timmerman (1980). The Free Attitude Interview developed its characteristic form during an industrial psychological research, the so-called Hawthorne Research in 1929 in the United States. The researchers discovered that when they gave the interviewees the freedom to speak, the information obtained became more relevant than when they would use a structured questionnaire. This open type of interview provided them with the type of information, which could be used to solve problems in the labour situation. Carl Rogers, the psychologist, affirmed the method in 1941 again. He stressed the importance of the interview technique as a means of reflecting the respondent’s feelings in a therapeutic context (Vrolijk, Dijkema and Timmerman 1980). The F.A.I. as explained in this manual follows the model of “Het Vrije Attitude Gesprek, with one exception. Where the Dutch interview model distinguishes between a summary and a reflection as separate techniques, in this manual the two techniques have been drawn into one: the reflective summary (see: p 4). The Free Attitude Interview Technique, also described as a non-directive controlled depth interview, can be used as a qualitative research interview. The term qualitative research derives much of its meaning from the qualitative -quantitative research dichotomy, prevalent in research discourse. Both the terms qualitative and quantitative are used to refer to techniques, methods, methodologies and paradigms in research. This dichotomy however is not so simple as it may seem. The fact that the F.A.I. is a qualitative interview technique for instance, does not imply that only qualitative researchers will make use of it. Sometimes researchers adhering to a quantitative methodology do make use of qualitative techniques in the exploratory phase of their research. It is also possible to use a quantitative technique in a qualitative approach. Methods are underdetermined by paradigms and paradigms are underdetermined by methods (Smaling 1992). To define qualitative research, can be a complicated issue and will be beyond the scope of this text. A few points will be made to contextualise this interviewing technique as a qualitative research technique. One can say that in a qualitative research approach the researcher tries to relate directly to the phenomena in reality, whereas in a quantitative approach the researcher tries to measure the degree in which certain aspects she assumes the phenomena consists of, are present in reality. As characteristics of qualitative approaches, one could mention: Qualitative research is oriented towards an insider's perspective; The contextualisation of the process of knowledge construction is emphasised; The research design is open and flexible; Validity and reliability of the research results depend to a high degree on the researchers’ skills and sensitivity; The scope of the research tends to be of small scale. The F.A.I. is not the only qualitative interview researchers have to their disposal. However, it is advisable to master the F.A.I. as the basic interview technique before one takes up the more penetrating, confronting and participatory qualitative interview techniques. The F.A.I. is not used exclusively by researchers. Training in the F.A.I. should develop in the trainee an attitude of open-mindedness and provide her with essential communication skills. The Free Attitude

Ineke Buskens

© Research For the Future

3/31/2011


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