The quest for objectivity in the study of subjectivity

Abstract

This paper explores the debate over standardisation and non-standardisation in research interviews. From various sides, it is claimed that a strict insistence on formal standardisation of interviewers' practice does not warrant standardisation of the interview situation and the resulting data, because it breaks with the participants' expectances of a conversation\\. The interviewer and the interview thus are faced with somewhat of an objectivity-dilemma. On the one hand, ‘true’ standardisation may only be feasible by allowing for an element of conversational freedom and inter-subjective accommodation in the interview. On the other hand, accommodating to the individual interviewee may flood the interview with interviewer's bias. To claim true standardisation, interviewees must share a common understanding of the interview genre and the words used. An understanding like this cannot be achieved through interview design, but must be argued by the researcher to exist, and must be based on familiarity and routine.