7.1.1 Semi-structured interviews: Challenges when unterviewing older people (133)

Adeline Cooney, Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland Co authors: Kathy Murphy adeline.cooney@nuigalway.ie

Abstract:

Background:

There is some debate in the literature about undertaking research with vulnerable populations. Much of this debate centres on ethical issues, for example, gaining informed consent. However, there has been relatively little discussion on the practicalities of conducting interviews with older people. This will be the focus of this paper. Examples from a recent study (Murphy et al., 2006) will be used to contextualise the paper.

Aim:

This paper will discuss the challenges of conducting interviews with older people in residential care settings. Methods The study which will be used to provide examples explored quality of life issues from the perspectives of residents. The principle method of data collection was semi-structured interviews with residents (n = 101).

Results:

It was found that older people were articulate and capable of expressing their opinions. How the researchers approached the interview was key to enabling older people to contribute to research. Various factors that enabled (or hindered) their participation were identified, for example, physical impediments or a feeling that they had nothing important to say. The warmth of the relationship between the participant and researcher added immeasurably to the quality of the interview but raised the ethical issue of research vs. therapy. Older people need physical and emotional support when participating in interviews. It is important to re-explore the role of the researcher in context of this finding.

Discussion:

This paper will contribute to a fuller understanding of what is involved in interviewing older people and will be helpful to novice researchers who plan to interview vulnerable groups.

Conclusion:

Increasingly emphasis is placed on including the ‘voice’ of older people in research. This is challenging but achievable and ethically sound. This paper will examine the issues involved and will make recommendations on how best to achieve this.

Biography:

Adeline Cooney is a Lecturer in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, National University of Ireland, Galway. She is a registered general nurse and has a background in clinical nursing and nurse education. Her research focuses on older people, in particular on the quality of life of older people living in both community and residential care settings. Kathy Murphy is a registered general nurse and has a masters degree from Kings College London and a PhD from NUI, Galway. Her clinical background is in older people services and accident and emergency nursing. She held ward manager posts in both. She has worked within nursing education for the last 20 years and in NUI, Galway for the past 10 years. Her doctoral work focused on quality of care for older people in Ireland and her current research work and publications are within this area. She has undertaken national studies focused on quality of life of older people in long-stay care, end-of-life care and the quality of life of older people living with a disability. She is the third level representative on An Bord Altranais (the nursing board) and has been involved in a number of expert groups on nursing, midwifery and long-stay care. She is currently Professor of Nursing at NUI, Galway.