The Qualitative Research Interview and Issues of Knowledge

Abstract

The aim of the article is to make the reader more conscious about the relationship between the conceptualization of scientific knowledge and the formulation of a concrete research design. In only 10% of all qualitative research papers in Denmark are the conceptualization of scientific knowledge made transparent (Olsen, 2002). In this paper it is argued that being aware of the conceptualization of scientific knowledge on which one’s research is based both opens possibilities and create limits for the specific ways of designing, conducting and analyzing a research project. This paper outlines three approaches to the qualitative research interview based on different understandings of the conceptualization of scientific knowledge and presentation of data. A phenomenological /hermeneutic position, a social constructionist and an action-oriented position on the conceptualization of scientific knowledge are outlined and in continuation hereof three concrete examples of research projects using the presented positions are discussed.