1887
Volume 45, Issue 1
  • ISSN 0155-0640
  • E-ISSN: 1833-7139
USD
Buy:$35.00 + Taxes

Abstract

Abstract

The increasing internationalization of education has brought diversification to university student populations. The demographic changes pose great challenges to interview practice as interviews are increasingly occurring in cross-cultural contexts and often involve participants from diverse cultural backgrounds. Recent research has demonstrated that the cultural identity of the interviewer, in particular, the insider or outsider positioning relative to the participants, can impinge upon the quantity and quality of the collected interview data and research outcomes. In this paper, we go beyond this conception of interviewer as either a cultural insider or outsider to examine how multiple identities and positionings are enacted by interviewer and interviewees in order to achieve intersubjectivity, or common ground, in cross-cultural research interviews. The paper contributes to understanding the complexity of cross-cultural interviews, in particular, the impact of positioning processes on the establishment of intersubjectivity and data construction.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1075/aral.19040.gro
2020-08-20
2025-02-16
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Abbas, T.
    (2010) Muslim-on-Muslim social research: Knowlege, power and religio-cultural identities. Social Epistemology, 24(2), 123–136. 10.1080/02691721003749919
    https://doi.org/10.1080/02691721003749919 [Google Scholar]
  2. Alfurayh, L.
    (2016) (Not) the Saudi women you hear about: The developed identity of Saudi women in Australia. (Unpublished master’s thesis). Monash University, Australia.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Alvesson, M.
    (2003) Beyond neopositivists, romantics, and localists: A reflexive approach to interviews in organizational research. Academy of Management Review, 28(1), 13–33. 10.5465/amr.2003.8925191
    https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2003.8925191 [Google Scholar]
  4. Atkinson, P. , & Silverman, D.
    (1997) Kundera’s immortality: The interview society and the invention of the self. Qualitative Inquiry, 3(3), 304–325. 10.1177/107780049700300304
    https://doi.org/10.1177/107780049700300304 [Google Scholar]
  5. Au, A.
    (2019) Thinking about cross-cultural differences in qualitative interviewing: Practices for more responsive and trusting encounters. The Qualitative Report, 24(1), 58–77. 10.46743/2160‑3715/2019.3403
    https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3403 [Google Scholar]
  6. Bamburg, M.
    (1997) Positioning between structure and performance. Journal of Narrative and Life History, 7(1–4), 335–342. 10.1075/jnlh.7.42pos
    https://doi.org/10.1075/jnlh.7.42pos [Google Scholar]
  7. Bamburg, M. , & Georgakopoulou, A.
    (2008) Small stories as a new perspective in narrative and identity analysis. Text and Talk, 28(3), 377–396. 10.1515/TEXT.2008.018
    https://doi.org/10.1515/TEXT.2008.018 [Google Scholar]
  8. Beck, S.
    (2006) Subjectivity and intersubjectivity in the teaching and learning of writing. Research in the Teaching of English, 40(4), 414–460.
    [Google Scholar]
  9. Berger, R.
    (2015) Now I see it, now I don’t: Researcher’s position and reflexivity in qualitative research. Qualitative Research, 15(2), 219–234. 10.1177/1468794112468475
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794112468475 [Google Scholar]
  10. Block, D.
    (2000) Problematizing interview data: Voices in the mind’s machine?TESOL Quarterly, 34(4), 757–763. 10.2307/3587788
    https://doi.org/10.2307/3587788 [Google Scholar]
  11. Bucholtz, M. , & Hall, K.
    (2005) Identity and interaction: A sociocultural linguistic approach. Discourse Studies, 7(4–5), 585–614. 10.1177/1461445605054407
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1461445605054407 [Google Scholar]
  12. Clark, T.
    (2010) On ‘being researched’: Why do people engage with qualitative research?Qualitative Research, 10(4), 399–419. 10.1177/1468794110366796
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794110366796 [Google Scholar]
  13. Cresswell, J.
    (2007) Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications.
    [Google Scholar]
  14. De Fina, A.
    (2013) Positioning level 3: Connecting local identity displays to macro social processes. Narrative Inquiry, 23(1), 40–61. 10.1075/ni.23.1.03de
    https://doi.org/10.1075/ni.23.1.03de [Google Scholar]
  15. De Fina, A. , & Perrino, S.
    (2011) Introduction: Interviews vs. ‘natural’ contexts: A false dilemma. Language in Society, 40(1), 1–11. 10.1017/S0047404510000849
    https://doi.org/10.1017/S0047404510000849 [Google Scholar]
  16. Donohoue Clyne, I.
    (2004) Finding common ground: Cross-cultural research in the Muslim community. Retrieved fromwww.aare.edu.au/01pap/don01569.htm
    [Google Scholar]
  17. Drake, P.
    (2010) Grasping at methodological unerstanding: A cautionary tale from insider research. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 33(1), 85–99. 10.1080/17437271003597592
    https://doi.org/10.1080/17437271003597592 [Google Scholar]
  18. Fontana, A. , & Frey, J.
    (2000) The interview: From structured questions to negotiated text. In N. Denzin & Y. Lincoln (Eds.), Handbook of qualitative research (2nd ed., pp.645–672). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
    [Google Scholar]
  19. Gall, M. , Gall, J. , & Borg, W.
    (2007) Education research: An introduction (8th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education.
    [Google Scholar]
  20. Gerson, K. , & Horowitz, R.
    (2002) Observation and interviewing: Option and choices in qualitative research. In T. May (Ed.), Qualitative research in action. London: SAGE Publications.
    [Google Scholar]
  21. Gillespie, A. , & Cornish, F.
    (2009) Intersubjectivity: Towards a dialogical analysis. Journal for the Theory of Social Behaviour, 40(1), 19–46. 10.1111/j.1468‑5914.2009.00419.x
    https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-5914.2009.00419.x [Google Scholar]
  22. Gillham, B.
    (2000) The research interview. London: Continuum.
    [Google Scholar]
  23. Groves, O.
    (2015) Language learning as participation. (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Wollongong, Wollongong.
    [Google Scholar]
  24. Gubrium, E. , & Koro-Ljungberg, M.
    (2005) Contending with border making in the social constructionist interview. Qualitative Inquiry, 11(5), 689–715. 10.1177/1077800405278776
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800405278776 [Google Scholar]
  25. Gubrium, J. , & Holstein, J.
    (2003) Postmodern interviewing. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications. 10.4135/9781412985437
    https://doi.org/10.4135/9781412985437 [Google Scholar]
  26. Hamdan, A.
    (2005) Women and education in Saudi Arabia: Challenges and achievements. International Education Journal, 6(1), 42–64.
    [Google Scholar]
  27. Harrison, J. , MacGibbon, L. , & Morton, M.
    (2001) Regimes of trustworthiness in qualitative research: The rigors of reciprocity. Qualitative Inquiry, 7(3), 323–345. 10.1177/107780040100700305
    https://doi.org/10.1177/107780040100700305 [Google Scholar]
  28. Holstein, J. , & Gubrium, J.
    (1997) Active interviewing. In D. Silverman (Ed.), Qualitative research: Theory, method and practice (pp.113–129). London: Sage.
    [Google Scholar]
  29. Hoskins, M. , & White, J.
    (2013) Relational inquiries and the research interview: Mentoring future researchers. Qualitative Inquiry, 19(3), 179–188. 10.1177/1077800412466224
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1077800412466224 [Google Scholar]
  30. Katyal, K. , & King, M.
    (2014) Non-Chinese researchers conducting research in Chinese cultures: Critical reflections. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 37(1), 44–62. 10.1080/1743727X.2012.736484
    https://doi.org/10.1080/1743727X.2012.736484 [Google Scholar]
  31. Kondakci, Y. , Bedenlier, S. , & Zawacki-Richter, O.
    (2018) Social network analysis of international student mobility: Uncovering the rise of regional hubs. Higher Education, 75, 517–535. 10.1007/s10734‑017‑0154‑9
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-017-0154-9 [Google Scholar]
  32. Lee, M.
    (2016) Finding cultural harmnony in interviewing: The wisdom of the middle way. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 39(1), 38–57. 10.1080/1743727X.2015.1019455
    https://doi.org/10.1080/1743727X.2015.1019455 [Google Scholar]
  33. Liamputtong, P.
    (2008) Doing research in a cross-cultural context: Methodological and ethical challenges. In P. Liamputtong (Ed.), Doing cross-cultural research: Ethical and methodological perspectives (Vol. 34, pp.3–20). London: Springer. 10.1007/978‑1‑4020‑8567‑3_1
    https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8567-3_1 [Google Scholar]
  34. Mann, S.
    (2011) A critical review of qualitative interviews in applied linguistics. Applied Linguistics, 32(1), 6–24. 10.1093/applin/amq043
    https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amq043 [Google Scholar]
  35. Mercer, J.
    (2007) The challenges of insider research in educational institutions: Weilding a double-edged sword and resolving delicate dilemmas. Oxford Review of Education, 33(1), 1–17. 10.1080/03054980601094651
    https://doi.org/10.1080/03054980601094651 [Google Scholar]
  36. Merriam, S.
    (1998) Qualitative research and case study applications in education. San Francisco: Jossey-Boss.
    [Google Scholar]
  37. Milligan, L.
    (2016) Insider-outsider-inbetweener? Researcher positioning, participative methods and cross-cultural educational research. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 46(2), 235–250. 10.1080/03057925.2014.928510
    https://doi.org/10.1080/03057925.2014.928510 [Google Scholar]
  38. Nakata, Y.
    (2015) Insider-outsider perspective: Revisiting the conceptual framework of research methodology in language teacher education. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 38(2), 166–183. 10.1080/1743727X.2014.923835
    https://doi.org/10.1080/1743727X.2014.923835 [Google Scholar]
  39. Norton, B. , & Toohey, K.
    (2011) Identity, language learning, and social change. Language Teaching, 44(4), 412–446.
    [Google Scholar]
  40. O’Boyle, A.
    (2018) Encounters with identity: Reflexivity and positioning in an interdisciplinary research project. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 41(3), 353–366. 10.1080/1743727X.2017.1310835
    https://doi.org/10.1080/1743727X.2017.1310835 [Google Scholar]
  41. OECD
    OECD (2015) Education at a glance 2015: OECD indicators. Retrieved from: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/education-at-a-glance-2015_eag-2015-en. 10.1787/eag‑2015‑en
    https://doi.org/10.1787/eag-2015-en [Google Scholar]
  42. Roulston, K.
    (2010) Reflective interviewing: A guide to theory and practice. London: Sage. 10.4135/9781446288009
    https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446288009 [Google Scholar]
  43. (2011) Interview ‘problems’ as topics for analysis. Applied Linguistics, 32(1), 77–94. 10.1093/applin/amq036
    https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amq036 [Google Scholar]
  44. Ryan, L. , Kofman, E. , & Aaron, P.
    (2011) Insiders and outsiders: Working with peer researchers in researching Muslim communities. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 14(1), 49–60. 10.1080/13645579.2010.481835
    https://doi.org/10.1080/13645579.2010.481835 [Google Scholar]
  45. Sa, C. , & Sabzalieva, E.
    (2018) The politics of the great brain race: Public policy and international student recruitment in Australia, Canada, England and the USA. Higher Education, 75, 231–253. 10.1007/s10734‑017‑0133‑1
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-017-0133-1 [Google Scholar]
  46. Sands, R. , Bourjolly, J. , & Roer-Strier, D.
    (2007) Crossing cultural barriers in research interviewing. Qualitative Social Work, 6(3), 353–372. 10.1177/1473325007080406
    https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325007080406 [Google Scholar]
  47. Santoro, N. , & Smyth, G.
    (2010) Researching ethnic ‘others’: Conducting critical ethnographic research in Australia and Scotland. Intercultural Education, 21(6), 493–503. 10.1080/14675986.2010.533032
    https://doi.org/10.1080/14675986.2010.533032 [Google Scholar]
  48. Shah, S.
    (2004) The researcher/interviewer in intercultural context: A social intruder!British Education Research Journal, 30(4), 549–575. 10.1080/0141192042000237239
    https://doi.org/10.1080/0141192042000237239 [Google Scholar]
  49. Song, M. , & Parker, D.
    (1995) Commonality, difference and the dynamics of disclosure in in-depth interviewing. Sociology, 29(2), 241–256. 10.1177/0038038595029002004
    https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038595029002004 [Google Scholar]
  50. Tabane, R. , & Bouwer, C.
    (2006) The influence of cross-cultural interviewing on the generation of data. South African Journal of Education, 26(4), 553–564.
    [Google Scholar]
  51. Talmy, S.
    (2010) Qualitative interviews in applied linguistics: From research instrument to social practice. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 30, 128–148. 10.1017/S0267190510000085
    https://doi.org/10.1017/S0267190510000085 [Google Scholar]
  52. (2011) The interview as collaborative achievement: Interaction, identity, and ideology in a speech event. Applied Linguistics, 32(1), 25–42. 10.1093/applin/amq027
    https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amq027 [Google Scholar]
  53. Talmy, S. , & Richards, K.
    (2011) Theorizing qualitative research interviews in applied linguistics. Applied Linguistics, 32(1), 1–5. 10.1093/applin/amq045
    https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amq045 [Google Scholar]
  54. Tinker, C. , & Armstrong, N.
    (2008) From the outside looking in: How an awareness of difference can benefit the qualitative research process. The Qualitative Report, 13(1), 53–60.
    [Google Scholar]
  55. Yee, W. , & Andrews, J.
    (2006) Professional researcher or a ‘good guest’? Ethical dilemmas involved in researching children and families in the home setting. Educational Review, 58(4), 397–413. 10.1080/00131910600971859
    https://doi.org/10.1080/00131910600971859 [Google Scholar]
  56. Zempi, I.
    (2016) Negotiating constructions of insider and outsider status in research with veiled Muslim women victims of Islamophobic hate crime. Sociological Research Online, 21(4), 70–81. 10.5153/sro.4080
    https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.4080 [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1075/aral.19040.gro
Loading
/content/journals/10.1075/aral.19040.gro
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): cross-cultural interviews; identity; intersubjectivity; interview location; positioning
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was successful
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error