AMANDA HYNAN FINAL THESIS PDF

interviews are based around a topic guide with some suggested questions. He says
depending on the study these will either be followed quite strictly or treated with more
flexibility. Interview questions should also be evaluated in relation to:
“both a thematic and a dynamic dimension: thematically with regard to
producing knowledge, and dynamically with regard to the interpersonal
relationship in the interview” (p.57)
A good interview question should relate to both with the importance placed on the
dynamic side to keep the conversation flowing through questions that are simple to
understand. I had designed the questions with both thematic and dynamic views in
mind, but on the day I stuck too rigidly to these questions rather than letting the flow
of the conversation develop naturally. This is illustrated by the following quote from
the original data:
Amanda: I’ve actually realised trying to stick to just this one theme about
accessibility…. I have realised it doesn’t work because I don’t know if you use
Facebook ‘cos I haven’t asked you about that
Frank: (laughs)
Amanda: so maybe it’s better to move into talking about what you use the
internet for
Realising I had to take a far more flexible approach was important as data collection
continued as interviews proved to be varied and challenging on many levels. People
who use AAC are an extremely diverse population and this was reflected across the
participants in the current study (section 3.5.4.). Apart from one occasion where I met
a group of five participants prior to their individual interviews (section 3.6.2.4.), each
interview was also the initial meeting with the participants and their communication
partners. This meant we were unfamiliar with each other’s communication techniques.
Following a semi-structured approach predominantly worked well but sometimes the
interviews became unstructured (where questions were aimed at encouraging the
participant to talk) or pursued a more structured method (where questions were closed
and were more concerned with repeating or clarifying points raised). Guidance about
carrying out interviews with people with complex communication needs stresses the
need to remain flexible and open to adaptation (Booth and Booth, 1996).
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