Reporting & Presenting Interview Findings

In qualitative research, reporting interview findings is a critical step in showcasing the depth and richness of the data collected. It is about presenting what participants said and interpreting and organizing the information in a way that highlights key insights. This article will walk you through the process of writing up interview findings, focusing on aligning findings with the research question, creating visuals to organize and structure data, and presenting the findings in a clear and structured format.

Introduction

In qualitative research, reporting interview findings is a crucial step in transforming raw data into meaningful insights. Unlike quantitative research, which relies heavily on statistical analysis, qualitative research focuses on interpreting rich, narrative data gathered from interviews. This involves not only capturing the essence of participants’ responses but also presenting qualitative data in a way that addresses the research question and enhances the reader's understanding. Presenting findings from qualitative interviews requires careful organization and interpretation of interview transcripts, audio, and video recordings to highlight the main findings and ensure the information is relevant to the study's objectives.

A well-structured research article in the social sciences will include a comprehensive research design and methods section, outlining how interviews were conducted and analyzed. Then, by effectively presenting findings, researchers can communicate their results in a way that makes the most of the qualitative data, offering deep insights that contribute to the broader field. AI tools have also become increasingly useful in helping researchers manage and analyze interview data, allowing for a more efficient approach to extracting key themes. Ultimately, the challenge lies in turning these rich, detailed accounts into a cohesive narrative that resonates with the research paper’s audience.

How to report interview data?

In qualitative research, there are many possibilities for presenting interview data in a research article. As always, we recommend looking at other published studies from top journals in your area for inspiration. To offer some helpful practical guidance here, we turn to the excellent advice provided by Rockman and Vough (2023). They describe that the process of translating raw data into compelling findings involves multiple stages, with pre-writing and composing being crucial phases (Rockmann & Vough, 2023).

Pre-writing phase

The pre-writing phase is essential for organizing and structuring qualitative data before drafting the findings section. One of the primary tools introduced in this phase is the claim table, which helps researchers categorize quotes based on their relevance and strength. The quotes are classified into four categories—anchor, workhorse, tantalizing, and partial. Anchor quotes are the most vivid and comprehensive, serving as the backbone of the argument, while workhorse quotes provide strong supporting evidence. Tantalizing quotes add intrigue but may lack comprehensiveness, and partial quotes contribute to the narrative but need further context.

Another key tool in this phase is storyboarding, a method for mapping out claims and ensuring a logical flow between them. Storyboarding helps researchers plan the structure of the findings section, visualizing how each claim will be supported by data and how the narrative will transition between different points. This process ensures that the findings are not only well-organized but also that each claim is clearly connected to the others, creating a cohesive and persuasive argument.

Composing phase

Once the data is organized through claim tables and storyboarding, the composing phase begins. This phase involves inserting the researcher’s voice into the findings, effectively linking the quotes to the claims being made. A critical balance between "showing" and "telling" is emphasized here—showing refers to presenting the quotes themselves, while telling involves providing the necessary context and interpretation to guide the reader.

The authors stress the importance of weaving the narrative around the data. Simply presenting quotes without interpretation can leave the findings feeling incomplete, while too much explanation without supporting quotes may seem unconvincing. The goal is to craft a narrative where the researcher’s insights and the participants’ voices work together to illustrate key findings.

Guidelines for using quotes

Using quotes effectively in a qualitative research paper requires careful consideration when it comes to selecting, editing, and placing quotes in a way that convincingly supports the claims. Quotes should not be chosen at random but based on their vividness and comprehensiveness. Vivid quotes capture the reader's attention and convey rich detail, while comprehensive quotes fully represent the claim being made.

When presenting qualitative data, editing quotes is sometimes necessary to maintain clarity, but this must be done without distorting the participant's original meaning. Additionally, placement in the research paper is crucial; quotes should be strategically positioned within the text to enhance the argument, with stronger, more vivid quotes taking prominence, while shorter, supporting quotes can be used in tables or supplementary materials.

Conclusion

Reporting interview findings in qualitative research is a nuanced and essential process that turns raw data into meaningful insights aligned with the study’s purpose. By effectively organizing and interpreting data collected from interview recordings, researchers can highlight main findings and respond directly to the research question. This process goes beyond merely presenting what participants said; it requires synthesizing information in a way that reveals deeper understanding and provides relevant information in participants' own words, thereby adding authenticity and depth to the narrative.

Key techniques such as claim tables and storyboarding help researchers systematically arrange their findings, ensuring that each piece of data supports the research question and contributes to a coherent flow. Claim tables categorize quotes by their strength and relevance, helping researchers to identify anchor quotes that vividly capture core themes and supporting quotes that reinforce these themes. Meanwhile, storyboarding helps in visualizing and mapping the progression of main findings, offering a logical pathway for readers to follow the study’s insights. Through this approach, researchers can create a seamless narrative that guides the reader through the insights uncovered.

Presenting quotes from interviews and audio recordings is also a significant part of this process. To effectively convey the findings, it’s essential to balance direct quotes with the researcher’s interpretation, allowing participants' voices to shine while contextualizing them within the broader study. This balance ensures that the findings are not just a collection of statements but are interwoven with analysis that deepens the reader’s understanding. By carefully selecting and positioning quotes, researchers give prominence to those that best illustrate the study's core messages and maintain the richness of participants' contributions in their own words.

By transforming interview recordings into a structured, insightful narrative, researchers create a document that addresses the research question and leaves a lasting impact on the audience. This detailed, interpretative approach to presenting qualitative data enhances the study's significance, inviting further inquiry and adding valuable perspectives to the field. With these techniques, researchers can ensure their findings resonate with the study's objectives and provide a foundation for ongoing exploration and understanding in qualitative research.

References

1. Rockmann, K. W., & Vough, H. C. (2023). Using quotes to present claims: Practices for the writing stages of qualitative research. Organizational Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.1177/10944281231210558