Abstract
Despite a growing literature on the value of relational data in studies of social phenomena, individuals still commonly constitute the basic unit of analysis in qualitative research. Methodological aspects of interviewing couples, particularly interviewing partners separately, and of conducting dyadic analysis have received scant attention. This article describes the experience of conducting separate interviews with both partners in 22 heterosexual couples (n = 44) in a study of the impact of the gynaecological condition endometriosis. In order to advance current methodological thinking regarding interviewing couples, we describe the dyadic, relational approach employed in designing the study and our specific method of dyadic analysis. We argue that utilising separate interviews with dyadic analysis rather than conducting joint interviews, while not without its ethical, practical and analytical challenges, offers considerable methodological benefits. Such an approach allows a unique relational insight into the impact of chronic illness on couples and how they navigate chronic illness by illuminating both shared and individual interpretations, experiences, understandings and meanings.
Highlights
Despite a growing literature on the value of relational data in studies of social phenomena (May, 2011; Smart, 2007), individuals still commonly constitute the basic unit of analysis in qualitative research
In keeping with previous literature, we argue that a dyadic approach does not necessitate joint interviews, but that dyadic analysis can be undertaken on separate interviews with partners in a dyadic unit, with this approach comprising one of several possible ‘dyadic data collection modalities’ (Eisikovits and Koren, 2010: 1643)
In the information we provided prior to them giving consent, to the slight possibility that they may identify one another from their quotations, we could not have fully anticipated the extent of the impact of endometriosis on some couples and the potential implications of participants identifying their partner’s accounts
Summary
Despite a growing literature on the value of relational data in studies of social phenomena (May, 2011; Smart, 2007), individuals still commonly constitute the basic unit of analysis in qualitative research. There exists a long tradition in the sociology of the family of interviewing multiple family members which has directly informed the use and development of relational methods more generally (Finch, 2007; Roseneil and Ketokivi, 2016; Smart, 2007; Valentine, 1999). The development of relevant methods and approaches is needed in order to further the advancement of a relational sociology of health and illness more generally
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