Continuing my journey of sharing my UNT applied anthropology thesis experience and my ethnographic interview experiences, I will today discuss questions to ask. Although there is no template for every interview, I will share some of the semi-structured questions that I used. Let me start by explaining how I developed and refined the interview script.
How to ask questions in an ethnographic interview
After my proposed ethnography project was approved and accepted by my potential client, it was possible to proceed with the remaining research project planning. I also developed the semi-structured interview protocol. To gain a deeper understanding of how consumers view genomic products, I was able to interview them.
Although there was some overlap, it was expected that there would also be differences. I found that there were two groups I could interview. I made two scripts to do the same. The questions were shared by about half of the scripts, while the other half was specific to those who had done genealogical or medical tests.
I began by listing all of the questions I could ask. These were based on what I had read in the literature and my personal experience with taking health or genealogical tests. These were created using a relational data base that I had previously created during my literature research. I also tagged them to indicate the possible groups I might ask, and the theories that they could be related back.
Enhance your list of questions you want to ask during an ethnographic interview
After I had created my master list, I began to prioritize the questions based on my research proposal. In my proposal, I had listed the most important research questions that I would like to investigate. Therefore, I wanted to ensure that my script for interview would address these questions. My case included the following questions:
What are your beliefs, values and priorities?
What motivates consumers?
What’s the best way to explain genomics to consumers?
How can genomic data be used to provide educational opportunities and valuable insights for consumers to improve their health?
– What beliefs and values, lifestyles, priorities, wants, and needs are contributing to a change in behavior that will lead to a better health outcome?
– What is the consumer’s attitude to data ownership and sharing?
– What privacy and ethical concerns are consumers concerned about?
After comparing my possible list of interview question to my research, I had to discard some interview questions that didn’t fit my research questions. One example was about the social networking capabilities of genealogical websites such as Ancestry or 23andMe. While it might have been a fascinating thread to follow in this instance, research projects can only allow us to focus on a few things. If we want to complete the project on time and within budget, as well as answer the questions in the proposal, then we need to have some limitations.
But that does not mean my semi-structured interviews denied participants the freedom to speak or that they did not offer any ideas. Although I did my best, we still have to make sure that the script adheres to the plan. Here is the script that I used for the genealogy group.
Genealogy Group Interview Script
The interview will include a 30-minute observation session and a genealogical genomics interview. The interview will take place via conference voice-line. We will request permission to record your interview audio during the interview. We will use the audio to record your experiences and expectations. Your identity is kept confidential. Participants in the research will have pseudonyms created. Before any research can be started, it is necessary to sign consent forms. Separate storage locations will be provided for the signed consent forms as well as analysis documents. After recording is complete, video, audio and still photos will all be kept in a locked cabinet. Password protection will be used to protect computer records. Publications and presentations related to the study will not reveal your personal information.
– How did the idea of genetic testing for genealogy first come to your attention?
– What was your first impression of it?
– Could you please tell me the details of the genetic genealogy tests that you have done in the past?
– How did this test come about?
– How did you react when you found out about the test(s?)
– Why did you decide to take the test(s).
– What were your goals and desired outcomes?
– What did you think of the tests? Was it something you believed, either verbally or in print?
– Have you viewed the website of the company? What were your thoughts?
– Have you ever read the terms and conditions of use or privacy policies? Do you agree?
– What do you think the test will reveal about your personality? Find out about your ethnicity and relatives.
– How did you react to the ethnicity analysis
– What did you think of the test results?
– Was it a way to better understand yourself?
– How did you interact with distant relatives or those close to you through social networking?
– Have you ever contacted any matches? If so, how were their interactions?
How was it to meet new family members?
Did you find it helpful to learn about your relatives?
– Did you believe that your data was sequenced and analyzed correctly?
– Did your results make sense?
– Please tell me about your use of the results, if yes. Are they more useful?
If not, could you explain what might have helped to make the results more understandable? You may also be interested in professional consulting with experts, educational videos, professional articles or professional reporting.
– Did anyone see the results?
– If the answer is yes, then why?
– What did you think of sharing the data?
– Do the data you have given to the company are safe?
– Which of the following should you consider the owner of the data? The company that performed the test or you?
– Are you concerned about data being stored on public server?
What are your feelings about data being used to research?
– Would you feel if the company sold genetic data to marketers?
– How would it feel to see genetic data being sold or given over to pharmaceutical companies?
– How would it feel to see genetic data being sold or given over to insurance companies?
– Would you be happy if your company sold or handed over genetic data?
– What do you think it would feel like if a company sold or transferred genetic data?
Do you feel you are entitled to compensation if your data gets sold or transferred to other companies or groups?
– Did know you could get your genetic data in raw format?
– If you answered yes, what are your thoughts about it and how would you go about doing it?
Do you think it is necessary for the government to regulate the types and availability of testing?
– Do your thoughts are that the government should regulate how companies can use your data?
– Would this information ever be used to analyze any aspect of your health?
– Have there been companies that offer such a service? Why/Why not?
– Do you have any questions that I did not ask?
