Research Design
Interview procedure
The purpose of this study is to achieve a deeper understanding of the Saudis’ desire to communicate with international visitors based on the researcher’s experience from the perspective of the selected interviewee living in Riyadh. The selected participants will be the point of departure for the researcher (Maykut & Morehouse, 1997, p.43; Creswell, 2003, p.179-183). For this reason, the interview procedure is critical to the collection of reliable data that the researcher can use to answer research questions. It is important to note that, even though, the main purpose of the interview is to help the researcher understand the viewpoints of the interviewee, the researcher should nevertheless, have adequate knowledge of issues he or she would like to hear deliberated upon (Lewis & Ritchie, 2003, p.144). S/he has a significant role in guiding the interview process. The researcher should therefore, be familiar with the various phases of an in-depth interview, comprehend terms of the agreement between him or her and the interviewee, and clarify the role of the interviewee during the actual process.
In-depth interviewing is a multistage procedure. Throughout these stages, the main role of the researcher is to direct the participant from an everyday social perspective towards a deeper level of analysis at which they can jointly probe the social phenomenon of interest (Lewis & Ritchie, 2003, p.146). Question development or designing an interview guide, is the starting point of an in-depth interview. It is followed by actual staging of in-depth interviews and then interview analysis. A typical in-depth interview has six important stages in which the researcher is expected to guide the participant through them. The first stage is arrival where the researcher establishes a reliable relationship with the participant. At this point, the researcher should allow the participant to be at ease and feel in control of his or her territory. After the interviewee seems comfortable, the researcher introduces his or her research topic. At stage three, the interview starts whereby, the researcher starts interacting naturally through a question-and response arrangement (Maxwell, 2005, p.150). The fourth stage is essentially a continuation phase whereby; the researcher directs the participant through the main themes of the study. It is a very important stage because it enables the researcher to explore each subject deeply with a sequence of probes and follow up questions (Lewis & Ritchie, 2003, p.148). The fifth stage is the ending of the interview in which the researcher should signal approach to the end and ensure that the participant has not been left with any feelings of incomplete deal like a feeling of unmentioned information. The final stage is the after interview phase where, the researcher should warmly thank the participant and assure him/her the confidentiality and importance of his/her views in the study.
In-depth interviews in this study will be conducted in natural settings within the Riyadh community where interviewees are comfortable and at ease. It is pertinent to remember that participant’s perception and experience of the topic of study hinges on the context of their daily lives (Maykut & Morehouse, 1997, p.45; Marshall & Rossman, 2010, p.93). In most cases, I will allow participants to choose their most convenient venue. This could be at their homes, places of work, market place or even in my house.
Interview analysis
The object of conducting an in-depth interview is to collect data from participants that can help the researcher to answer research questions. This study will use thematic analytic method. Thematic analysis is a method of setting aside, examining, and reporting themes in data sets (Braun & Clarke, 2006, p.79). It has many benefits such as flexibility and epistemological and ontological independence. Just like actual in-depth interview, thematic analytic method is a multistage and enables the researcher to create a rich and thick description of the reality out there (Braun & Clarke, 2006, p.87; Holloway, 1997, p.156). The first stage is orienting you with the data followed by establishing codes that set aside the aspects of the data. Then the researcher searches for themes by sorting the codes before reviewing and defining the themes. Finally, the researcher compiles a report and provides evidence of themes in the data collected (Braun & Clarke, 2006, p.87).
Conclusion
The topic of this study is relevant and timely in establishing challenges facing Saudi citizens who desire to communicate with international visitors. By conducting a qualitative research that deploys in-depth interviews, it will enable the researcher to achieve a deeper understanding of the phenomenon from the participants’ experience within a natural setting. Moreover, thematic analysis will enable the researcher to create a rich description of reality on the ground.
References
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006).Using thematic Analysis in Psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3. Web.
Creswell, J. (2003). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. New York, NY: SAGE.
Holloway, I. (1997). Basic concepts for qualitative research. London: Wiley-Blackwell.
Lewis, J., & Ritchie, J. (2003). Qualitative research practice: a guide for social science students and researchers. New York: SAGE.
Marshall, C., & Rossman, G. (2010). Designing Qualitative Research. New York: SAGE.
Maxwell, J. (2005). Qualitative research design: an interactive approach. New York: SAGE.
Maykut ,P., & Morehouse, R. (1997). Beginning Qualitatative research:A philosophical and Practical Guide. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group.