Timeline interviews: A tool for conducting life history research

The aim of this paper is to explain and discuss timeline interviews as a method for doing life history research. It is a ‘how to’ article explaining the strengths and weaknesses of using a timeline when conducting qualitative interviews. The method allows the interviewee to participate in the report...

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Main Author: Hanne Kirstine Adriansen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: State Library & Aalborg University 2012-04-01
Series:Qualitative Studies
Online Access:http://ojs.statsbiblioteket.dk/index.php/qual/article/view/6272
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spelling doaj-817e814b1de54b32bbeb4b3abf7f0eb12020-11-25T01:35:18ZengState Library & Aalborg UniversityQualitative Studies 1903-70312012-04-013140555543Timeline interviews: A tool for conducting life history researchHanne Kirstine Adriansen0Department of Education, Aarhus UniversityThe aim of this paper is to explain and discuss timeline interviews as a method for doing life history research. It is a ‘how to’ article explaining the strengths and weaknesses of using a timeline when conducting qualitative interviews. The method allows the interviewee to participate in the reporting of the interview which may give raise to ownership and sharing of the analytical power in the interview situation. Exactly for this reason, it may not be the most appropriate method for interviewing elites or for conducting insider interviews where positionality can be at play. The use of the timeline should not lead the interviewer or the interviewee to assume linearity and coherence; it is an organising principle for the events. It provides an opportunity for linking the story with the wider social, political and environmental context during the interview. While the method is very suitable for life story research, it can also be used for other types of studies where interviews are made.http://ojs.statsbiblioteket.dk/index.php/qual/article/view/6272
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Hanne Kirstine Adriansen
spellingShingle Hanne Kirstine Adriansen
Timeline interviews: A tool for conducting life history research
Qualitative Studies
author_facet Hanne Kirstine Adriansen
author_sort Hanne Kirstine Adriansen
title Timeline interviews: A tool for conducting life history research
title_short Timeline interviews: A tool for conducting life history research
title_full Timeline interviews: A tool for conducting life history research
title_fullStr Timeline interviews: A tool for conducting life history research
title_full_unstemmed Timeline interviews: A tool for conducting life history research
title_sort timeline interviews: a tool for conducting life history research
publisher State Library & Aalborg University
series Qualitative Studies
issn 1903-7031
publishDate 2012-04-01
description The aim of this paper is to explain and discuss timeline interviews as a method for doing life history research. It is a ‘how to’ article explaining the strengths and weaknesses of using a timeline when conducting qualitative interviews. The method allows the interviewee to participate in the reporting of the interview which may give raise to ownership and sharing of the analytical power in the interview situation. Exactly for this reason, it may not be the most appropriate method for interviewing elites or for conducting insider interviews where positionality can be at play. The use of the timeline should not lead the interviewer or the interviewee to assume linearity and coherence; it is an organising principle for the events. It provides an opportunity for linking the story with the wider social, political and environmental context during the interview. While the method is very suitable for life story research, it can also be used for other types of studies where interviews are made.
url http://ojs.statsbiblioteket.dk/index.php/qual/article/view/6272
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