Max Bergman is Professor of Social Research and Methodology at the University of Basel. He has held previous teaching and research posts at the Universities of Cambridge, Essex, Florence (European University Institute), Geneva, Lausanne, St. Gall, and Zurich. His current research interests can be divided into two main areas: the study of social inequality, including issues relating to social exclusion and social capital. Second, qualitative and quantitative research methodology, focusing in particular on conceptualisation, measurement, and data theory.
The aim of this workshop is to examine different aspects of interview strategies and data analysis techniques, including: the variations, possibilities, and limits of interviewing techniques; assumptions and biases during the interview process; construction of an interview schedule from a research question; question and interview schedule design; reliability and validity issues relating to the interviewing and analysis process; analysis of interview material with an emphasis on coding frames and interpretive methods; interviewing within in a mixed methods research design; strategies of reporting research results from interviews for scientific and other professional publications.
Throughout the week, daily exercises on how to collect and analyse interview material will be an important part of the lectures. The participants are furthermore invited to work on their own interview data during the course.
Basic texts/overview of topics covered
No particular prerequisites are required. However, a background in the social sciences or related fields and preparatory readings are highly recommended