Methodological Aspects of Expert Interviews: Approaches, Opportunities, and Limitations

Abstract

The article focuses on the methodological features of expert interviews, which are considered as a substantive method of qualitative research Its purpose is to draw attention to the specifics of using this tool for collecting empirical data in social research. The popularity of this research method, especially when conducting applied research, is associated with its versatility in providing access to both ‘objective’ facts and uncodified knowledge, as well as the informant’s individual opinion and experience. The author of this article discusses methodological issues related to interviewing experts in an administrative context. This format of organizing and conducting interviews with experts ex officio in a situation of high organizational accountability imposes certain features both on the very procedure of using the method and on the subsequent analytical work of the researcher.

The article introduces the concept of an expert interview and draws its differences from elite and ordinary interviews. Then the author presents established approaches to categorizing expert interviews (exploratory, interpretative, systematic, and problem-oriented) based on the type of expert knowledge acquired (technical, process, and interpretive). Following that, the author demonstrates how expert interviews can be used at various stages of the research cycle. Particular attention is paid to three characteristic difficulties that a researcher encounters during the preparation and conduct of an interview with an expert (i.e., features of interaction between the interviewer and the informant that should be taken into account when developing a research design). The conclusion summarizes the advantages and limitations of this method of collecting empirical data.