Research Design in Interview Studies, Essay Example

Qualitative information gathering methods result in evidence of problems, behaviors or techniques. This provides descriptions of subjects’ beliefs and feelings about their capabilities, approaches, and views (Brinkman, p.49.).  These processes let the subjects paint a picture for the researcher to later analyze. Some specialists take the stance towards using a broader definition of “research” which should be noted as an all-inclusive methodology (Brinkman, p.50.). In a qualitative study, specialists employ every phase of a venture, where each part simultaneously influences the other (Maxwell, p.139-140). The research discussed will be as the qualitative method educated to admissions representatives in for-profit schools, where interviews will be conducted from a customer base.

The qualitative method is used by admissions representatives employed by for-profit schools. For example, most for-profit schools, teach the qualitative method as a reverse sales technique. This is where potential students convince admissions representatives’ to accept them into a certain program. If representatives are successful in this approach, potential students do not realize they are being sold a product, instead they essentially buy into the process.  Some for-profit schools instill this method and find it quite successful, when employed correctly. The questions asked by the representative cause potential students to disclose personal information. Questions like “Do you have any children?” and “What would your children think about you going back to school?” are used later on to fundamentally convince the potential student urgency of obtaining higher education. Also questions asked such as “What is your highest level of education?” and elaborating on that question by saying “Tell me about your experience in high school,” give the representative insight into the potential students past. The key to this technique is asking a question and then using follow up questions or statements such as, “That’s interesting, tell me more.” These questions result in answers produced by the potential student, used later to show the importance of enrolling in the school. When the representative is closing, they summarize the potential student’s answers. This not only shows the potential student that the advisor was listening, but it also gives the representative leverage if the potential student throws out objections.

References

Brinkmann, S. (n.d.). Research Design in Interview Studies. In Qualitative interviewing (pp. 49-51).

Maxwell, J. (1996). Research Proposals. In Qualitative Research Design: An interactive approach (pp. 139-140). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.