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Learning from Strangers: The Art and Method of Qualitative Interview Studies
Learning From Strangers is the definitive work on qualitative research interviewing. It draws on Robert Weiss's thirty years of experience in interviewing and teaching others how to do it. The most effective interviews, says Weiss, rely on creating cooperation -- an open and trusting alliance between interviewer and respondent, dedicated to specific and honest accounts of both internal and external events. Against the eclectic background of his work in national sample surveys, studies based on semi-structured interviewing, and participant observation, Weiss walks the reader through the method of qualitative interview sample selection, development of an interview guide, the conduct of the interview, analysis, and preparation of the data. Weiss gives examples of successful and less successful interviews and offers specific techniques and guidelines for the practitioner.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 15, 2023
Life saver!!!
I’m currently conducting doctoral level qualitative research on the efficacy and appropriateness of eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a stand-alone primary treatment modality for addiction (including but not exclusive to specific diagnosis of substance use disorder) and co-occurring trauma (including but not exclusive to DSM-PTSD and ICD-CPTSD diagnosis).
My graduate training didn’t prepare me (AT ALL) for conducting qualitative research. None of my research methods classes included qualitative methodologies. And (worse) qualitative research was very consistently downgraded as somehow inferior to quantitative methods. Or at best supportive of future quantitative research.
The problem with all that is. I’m a clinician (therapist), and my interest is MORE about the uniquely individual, subjective experience of people, and LESS about average objectively measurable responses to monolithic interventions based on abstract diagnostic criteria.
In other words.
In my work as a clinician is more concerned with (a) unique individual subjective experiences (not average responses), (b) specific aspects of therapy e.g., mindfulness, or therapeutic relationship (not necessarily one modality versus another) and real live human suffering (not necessarily the kind described in a DSM diagnosis).
So now I find myself conducting a type of research that I have ZERO training in, and NEXT TO NO exposure to.
Given all that!
This book is a life saver.
It makes a VERY convincing argument for the value of qualitative research, and describes how to (and how not to) do good quantitative research delivered in VERY plain (downright midwestern - no fancy stuff) language.
If you’re in a similar (deskilled and confused) situation as mine.
This book will be a HUGE help/relief.
I believe it would be helpful even if you’re an old pro at qualitative research. As there is something MAGICAL about advice given by someone who is SUPER competent, with TONS of experience, and who has ZERO to prove, and who is also willing to say it all in a way the is PLAIN and SIMPLE.
Great Book.
5/5 ⭐️💕🤓
I’m currently conducting doctoral level qualitative research on the efficacy and appropriateness of eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a stand-alone primary treatment modality for addiction (including but not exclusive to specific diagnosis of substance use disorder) and co-occurring trauma (including but not exclusive to DSM-PTSD and ICD-CPTSD diagnosis).
My graduate training didn’t prepare me (AT ALL) for conducting qualitative research. None of my research methods classes included qualitative methodologies. And (worse) qualitative research was very consistently downgraded as somehow inferior to quantitative methods. Or at best supportive of future quantitative research.
The problem with all that is. I’m a clinician (therapist), and my interest is MORE about the uniquely individual, subjective experience of people, and LESS about average objectively measurable responses to monolithic interventions based on abstract diagnostic criteria.
In other words.
In my work as a clinician is more concerned with (a) unique individual subjective experiences (not average responses), (b) specific aspects of therapy e.g., mindfulness, or therapeutic relationship (not necessarily one modality versus another) and real live human suffering (not necessarily the kind described in a DSM diagnosis).
So now I find myself conducting a type of research that I have ZERO training in, and NEXT TO NO exposure to.
Given all that!
This book is a life saver.
It makes a VERY convincing argument for the value of qualitative research, and describes how to (and how not to) do good quantitative research delivered in VERY plain (downright midwestern - no fancy stuff) language.
If you’re in a similar (deskilled and confused) situation as mine.
This book will be a HUGE help/relief.
I believe it would be helpful even if you’re an old pro at qualitative research. As there is something MAGICAL about advice given by someone who is SUPER competent, with TONS of experience, and who has ZERO to prove, and who is also willing to say it all in a way the is PLAIN and SIMPLE.
Great Book.
5/5 ⭐️💕🤓
April 12, 2011
Bit old school, bit loose in some research aspects, and a bit overwhelming in others (4 or 5 interviews with each participant!), but overall worthwhile for learning about interviews. I especially adore the double-columns of interviews and commentary--both positive and negative.
June 7, 2018
Such a fantastic resource for anyone embarking on interviews for research. Weiss addresses everything from setting up a study and sampling, to creating your interview guides, conducting your interviews, to coding and writing your results. His examples of good and bad interviews with double-column commentary is especially helpful. Start with this book and keep it on hand for reference!
A couple methodological approaches regarding data management and coding are obviously outdated, but the principles are still relevant. And his approach to conducting interviews themselves is unlikely to go out of fashion any time soon.
A couple methodological approaches regarding data management and coding are obviously outdated, but the principles are still relevant. And his approach to conducting interviews themselves is unlikely to go out of fashion any time soon.
June 15, 2020
I read this for a course on interviewing. The first part was pretty useful. I really wish the sections on markers were more developed because I think this was the most useful part of the whole thing. Actively practicing this marker processes would be useful. Can you make a simulation that would do this in real time??
March 31, 2019
A good book to read while you do your qualitative interview project. I read it and took notes of things I thought of or had to keep in mind. It's filled with first-hand experiences which can facilitate understanding and memory.
January 22, 2018
I really appreciated the snippets of transcripts and commentary of where the interviewer did well and where they went off track and could have done better.
November 9, 2018
Helpful resource for learning how to conduct qualitative interviews.
January 6, 2020
A little dated, but definitely includes a lot of useful, proven methods for conducting interview-based, qualitative research.
April 3, 2021
A bit dry, but generally very informative and well written.
Read
February 12, 2023Outdated in places but a useful introduction to qualitative research.
February 8, 2016
In my line of work (nonprofit consulting) we develop a lot of information for our clients. Decision makers need to know what is working, and what is not working, as they assess their organization's performance, adjust programs, and make strategic plans for the future. Quantitative data is a good thing. In fact, we organizational development people regularly preach about the importance of knowing what your performance indicators are and making sure you are collecting and evaluating the data. It's the qualitative data that I personally deal in most often, however. It's perspective from the various people associated with an organization (internal and external stakeholders.) It's the subjective stuff.
This classic work on the art and science of collecting high quality (actionable) qualitative information via interview has stood the test of time. Some of the basic lessons - the value of confidentiality, the indispensability of neutrality and trustworthiness, the importance of waiting until the data is all in before beginning an analysis - have served me very well across my career. It's great to have this book on the shelf as a reference guide to consult when I feel stumped. More often than not, the issue can be addressed by a quick refresher on technique.
Interviewing others is one of my first favorite things to do. People are always interesting when you take the time to get to know where they stand on important issues. I think I also enjoy it because - frankly - it tends to bring out the best in me. I always do a much better job of listening to people when I am "interviewing" them than I do when we are just talking. People I have interviewed will often tell me later that they feel like I understand them, which always significantly advances a facilitated process.
Says Weiss, "Interviewing is our only defense against mistaken expectation." So true. The only way to know what someone expects, hopes for, worries about, or anticipates is to ask. It is also the only way to know how they interpret past events. There is no substitute for developing qualitative information from stakeholders during any kind of evaluative or planning process. So glad Dr. Weiss took the time to write this book outlining the key principles of interviewing. It is enormously helpful, even outside the academic context.
This classic work on the art and science of collecting high quality (actionable) qualitative information via interview has stood the test of time. Some of the basic lessons - the value of confidentiality, the indispensability of neutrality and trustworthiness, the importance of waiting until the data is all in before beginning an analysis - have served me very well across my career. It's great to have this book on the shelf as a reference guide to consult when I feel stumped. More often than not, the issue can be addressed by a quick refresher on technique.
Interviewing others is one of my first favorite things to do. People are always interesting when you take the time to get to know where they stand on important issues. I think I also enjoy it because - frankly - it tends to bring out the best in me. I always do a much better job of listening to people when I am "interviewing" them than I do when we are just talking. People I have interviewed will often tell me later that they feel like I understand them, which always significantly advances a facilitated process.
Says Weiss, "Interviewing is our only defense against mistaken expectation." So true. The only way to know what someone expects, hopes for, worries about, or anticipates is to ask. It is also the only way to know how they interpret past events. There is no substitute for developing qualitative information from stakeholders during any kind of evaluative or planning process. So glad Dr. Weiss took the time to write this book outlining the key principles of interviewing. It is enormously helpful, even outside the academic context.
April 24, 2015
It's a solid overview of interviewing, and I appreciated Weiss' formulation of the interviewing relationship as a "research partnership." Most of what is in this book is also elsewhere, but it's still full of good advice, and easy to read as well. Nothing stellar, but it is one of the classics. I can't say I enjoyed reading it or that I'll think of it often, but it is possible that I will cite this book at some point.
November 24, 2016
Concrete and useful advice for planning, doing, analyzing, and writing about interviews. Or... writing *with*? Attempts to capture the tacit knowledge that comes with experience, for the most part successfully (I think, at least). A good section header: What Is It Like To Sit And Listen? I wasn't super comfortable with the discussion of demonstrating causality; Weiss doesn't mention that whether or not this is even possible with interviews is a stance.
November 22, 2014
4.5 stars-While some of Weiss's references are a bit dated, this book was a huge help for me in better understanding the process of preparing, performing, and writing up qualitative interview studies. I wish I had known about this book years ago!
January 14, 2009
Great tips for conducting in-depth interviews. Wish I had read this before I did 55 of them last summer...
December 31, 2014
a must read
June 15, 2015
Good but outdated guide to qualitative research. Worth keeping on hand.
Read
January 7, 2016Great examples, down to earth, practical.
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