Confidentiality, anonymity and power relations in elite interviewing: conducting qualitative policy research in a politicised domain

Abstract

While the methods used to study ‘elites’ are of particular relevance in policy research, to date there has been little examination of the particular challenges associated with ‘elite’ interviewing in this field. More specifically, the issues associated with interviewing ‘elites’ while conducting qualitative research in a contested policy domain, especially if policy processes are being studied as they play out in real time, remain underexplored. While the extant literature on ‘elite’ interviewing has begun to grapple with the notions of ‘power’ and ‘vulnerability’, the question of how these notions might need to be rethought in the context of a politicised policy domain remains open for examination. This article provides a methodological and reflexive account of the challenges associated with conducting research in one highly contested policy domain, namely, drug policy. Drawing on examples from a study which examined Australian drug policy processes, this article examines issues associated with anonymity and confidentiality produced through power relations between researcher and participant, particularly as these play out in a contested policy domain. In doing so, this article critically reflects on the practical and political implications for data collection, analysis and reporting of policy research.

Keywords:

• Interview
• elites
• policy research
• anonymity
• confidentiality
• vulnerability
• power

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to Alison Ritter and Carla Treloar for their valuable assistance and advice throughout the research process, and for their comments on an earlier draft. The Drug Policy Modelling Program is funded by the Colonial Foundation Trust, and is located at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, a research centre funded by the Australian government. Kari Lancaster is the recipient of an Australian Postgraduate Award.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. Naloxone (trade name, Narcan®) is a short-acting opioid antagonist, which temporarily reverses the effects of opioids and respiratory depression.

2. The descriptor ‘policy maker’ requires some explanation. As Neal and McLaughlin (2009, p. 691) note, policy processes are ‘by definition plural in nature in that they involve a range of actors and stakeholders, who function as a ‘policy community’’’. Acknowledging the multiplicity of ‘makers’ in the policy process, I use the descriptor ‘policy maker’ to refer to individuals who occupy professional public service or political positions, whose day to day role involves policy advice and planning.