To interview another person (or one’s self) regarding identity and the lifespan. Identity is an enormous topic—as is lifespan. If you have a topic in mind and are not sure if it fits this assignment, talk to me because we can probably find a way to make it fit.
Interview protocol
You can use pre-existing interview questions (don’t forget to cite your source) or you can write 4-8 original interview questions.
Decide on final version of interview questions and interview methodology
Will you interview one person? Several people? A Focus group? Or is this a self case-study?
Are these email, phone, or in-person interviews? How will you ask follow-up questions?
Interview the person
If it’s a self case-study, write down the answers to the interview questions as if you were the interviewee.
If you interview another person, establish confidentiality protocol. How will you store the data? What will you do with it if the person withdraws consent? Will the person be allowed to read a draft of the paper?
If you are interviewing someone under the age of 18, you must approve the final interview questions with me.
Interview notes should include
Biographical sketch of interviewee
Sex, age, ethnicity, employment/education, married, children, etc…
Transcript of interview (or your written answers).
Your personal reflection on the interview (150-500 words)
How did you feel? Did you have prior expectations? Were you surprised by answers?
Data Analysis
Identify themes in the interview data
This can be done on your own, working with another student, or with me. The methodology is up to you but you need to write it up for the paper.
Identify any possible sources of bias in the interviewer’s reactions/reflections
It’s o.k if there was bias present but acknowledging it should be part of the data analysis process.
Present your findings.
For this class, I want your findings written up as a short paper. Use APA style for the font, headings, and citations.
Include the following parts:
Abstract (50-200 words)
Your abstract for this paper will be very short. It may only be two-three sentences explaining the study and the themes
Present your findings.
For this class, I want your findings written up as a short paper. Use APA style for the font, headings, and citations.
Include the following parts:
Abstract (50-200 words)
Your abstract for this paper will be very short. It may only be two-three sentences explaining the study and the themes identified.
Introduction (250-500 words, 3-5 citations)
Introduce the reader to the topic. Include information from previous published works on the topic. Explain the purpose of your research. Explain the strengths of qualitative research methods.
Methods (250-500 words)
How did you gather the data?
How did you analyze the data?
Results and Discussion Section: (500-1000 words)
Demographic Information (a general overview of who the participant(s) is)
Identify three to five themes present in the data.
Provide support using direct quotes
Provide a summative paragraph.
Researcher reaction
Provide a summative paragraph.
Future directions
What future research could grow out of this case study?
Conclusion (250-500 words, 2-5 citations)
Sum-up the findings and explain how it furthers our understanding of human behavior.
Acknowledgements and Works Cited (APA style)
Here is a rough list of ideas to get you started. Clearly, you would ask more than 1 or 2 questions but I hope this will help you think about shaping the paper to your own interests.
Bicultural identity amongst college students – What is it like to belong to two or more cultures?
Gender Identity Narratives – For transpersons—how did their understanding of their own gender identity evolve? How old were they when they knew? How old were they when they started telling friends and family?
Parenting – How did your identity change when you became a parent? In what ways do you see yourself differently? What are the particular stresses?
Transitions – what would you identify as the major transitions in your life?
Vocational Identity – How did you decide on your future career path? When did you decide? What lead to that decision?
Mental Health and Stigma – For people diagnosed with a mental health issue: how did that change your thinking about yourself?
Happiness and aging – How has your impression of your own happiness changed as you age and develop?
The Heinz Dilemma – use a classic and ask people to answer the Heinz Dilemma. Follow-up with asking them to explain their reasoning process to you.
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