Aim
Understand the specific public view on the pros and cons of Green Infrastructure (IV).
- Gather relevant information that can contribute to the design of Green Infrastructure.
- Obtain qualitative data from citizens, experts or decision-makers to better understand the context of GI promotion and implementation.
Description
The use of qualitative research tools makes it possible to create an interpretative picture of the spatial context. Instead of generating metric data through predefined categories, qualitative approaches examine the “internal narrative” of society. In doing so, delimited isolated cases are examined, which can then be generalised through the collection of quantitative data.
In most cases, qualitative data is collected through interviews. Workshops can also be organised for this purpose. In case of interviews, you can organise them according to a strict sequence of questions or make them more open-ended, e.g. semi-structured interviews. The advantages of a qualitative approach are:
- it provides results not only on statistical variability, but also on the causes (motivation) of action, opinion, etc.
- it makes it possible to establish concrete starting points for appropriate intervention measures,
- provides content and information that had not been thought of before,
- gives credence to the experience of the interviewees,
- enhances the creative (thematic) potential of the interviewees.
The disadvantages of a qualitative approach are:
- it can limit the comparability of data,
- it involves a relatively high expenditure of time and money for implementation and subsequent evaluation,
- it requires skilled interviewers, data evaluators and interpreters.
Steps
1. Define the objective of data generation and formulate it in the form of a question.
2. Operationalise the question by specifying on which rating or measurement scale the interview questions can be represented.
3. Find suitable interview partners, such as experts, scientists, neighbours, politicians, administrators, etc., send them an invitation and organise a meeting.
4. Design the interview questions taking into account the information from the previous steps.
5. Execute the data collection through the interview.
SEE-URBAN-WATER: When conducting interviews in private homes, it is advisable to present yourself in pairs. One interviewer should correspond to the gender of the interviewee.
6. Transcribe interviews, analyse data and prepare them for presentation.
Results
- A qualitative database on associations, intentions, paradigms and opinions on green infrastructure from citizens and decision-makers that helps to generate information on potential and constraining characteristics of green infrastructure and its design elements.
Rules
Interview design
- The representativeness of the interview is the ultimate responsibility of the interviewer. Following academic ethics is especially important in spontaneous interviews.
- Avoid the inclusion of one’s own opinion in both the interview design and the interpretation of the data. “Let the interviewee speak – don’t speak for them.
- Questions should be open questions that allow for an elaborated response.
Interview process
- Interviewees should be aware of the following at the beginning of the interview: Who is conducting the interview? What is the topic of the interview? What does participation help? How long will the interview last?
- It is always a good idea to ask the interviewee to introduce themselves at the beginning. This facilitates the flow of the conversation and provides good opportunities to go into the following topics.
- Regardless of the interviewee’s behaviour, one should always create an objective, neutral and friendly impression and persevere with the questions.
- Make notes or ask for permission to record while conducting the interview.
- Do not be afraid to interrupt the interviewee if he or she strays too far off topic.
- Do not force the interviewee to answer all the questions if they do not want to.
- At the end of the interview, ask if there are any questions. Also, ask for other people who are knowledgeable about the topic in order to get more interviews.
Scopes and challenges
- The overvaluation of certain information gained or opinions of some interviewees over others (bias).
- Especially in the case of profane interviews, interviewees tend to exaggerate (dramatisation, heroism) and to digress (deviation from the central theme). Therefore, interviews that are conducted too openly lead to unrepresentative results.