Abstract
ABSTRACTRegret, a negative assessment of an action committed or a path not taken, is a common biographical experience. However, it is a difficult concept to study in social science research. Participants are likely to enact protective barriers to avoid confronting personal responsibility for ‘bad’ decisions. Drawing on examples from an in-depth interview study of postsecondary educational experiences, we examine a technique and set of questions that can move beyond these biographical research roadblocks. We argue that a highly structured and comprehensive, yet flexible interview guide is ideal for exploring this concept. This article also outlines two questions that can elicit biographical regret, particularly educational regret. The first question asks respondents what they would change about their college experience. The second question asks respondents what advice they would provide to new college students. Together, these methodological techniques are effective at overcoming potential research roadblocks because they allow for an agentic, positive reframing of the experience of regret.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
