Interviewing is an essential tool in qualitative research and this introduction to interviewing outlines both the theoretical underpinnings and the practical aspects of the process. After examining the role of the interview in the research process, Steinar Kvale considers some of the key philosophical issues relating to interviewing: the interview as conversation, hermeneutics, phenomenology, concerns about ethics as well as validity, and postmodernism. Having established this framework, the author then analyzes the seven stages of the interview process - from designing a study to writing it up. Common terms and phrases: action analysis answers appear approach asking aspects attempt become behavior categorization Chapter conception construction context Continued conversation critical depends descriptions developed dialogue discussed emotional emphasis ethical example experience expressed final findings formal further give grades hermeneutical human important inquiry inter interaction interest interpretations interview research interview study involves issues knowledge language later leading learning linguistic lived meaning method mode narrative nature objective obtain original outlined perspective philosophy posed position possible postmodern practice present produced pupils qualitative interview qualitative research qualitative research interview quantitative questions reader reading reality recording reflection regard relation reliability require scientific situation social sciences specific stages standard statements stories structures Student subjects teacher techniques themes theoretical theory therapeutic tion topic transcribed transcripts truth turn understanding validity written