Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were selected as the data collection tool for this research. Other methods were considered. For example, narrative interviews were
considered, which would have been consistent with a feminist approach as they would allow women to give their accounts precisely as they chose, with minimal contribution from the interviewee (Mishler 1986; Corbin and Morse 2003). Narrative methods have previously been used in this topic area (e.g. Shapiro et al. 1997). However, the flexibility which semi- structured interviews afford, and the ability to explore emergent themes and to use prompts to delve deeper into the young women’s experiences and perceptions (Thomas-MacLean 2004), were seen as crucial to the research approach, allowing deeper exploration of the unexpected and unanticipated, a key aspect of grounded theory (Charmaz 2006).
Non-participant observation could also have been utilised in settings such as breast cancer charity events, or support groups meetings. For example, Bell (2009) observed support group meetings and examined the language used, in order to explore how cancer was socially constructed. However, the aim of this study was an in-depth exploration of the young women’s own perspectives on living with a history of breast cancer, and, while such methods have been used in previous research to produce valuable insights into the language used by participants, and the ways that cancer is talked about, these methods would not necessarily have facilitated access to such rich data about their experiences and perceptions.
The interview has been an important tool for feminist researchers, viewed as a method which enables the voices of those otherwise marginalised to be heard (Alldred and Gillies 2008). However, there are critiques of the use of interviewing in social research. For example, it has
Chapter Five – Methodology and research design
become widely accepted that the data which results from an interview is not
straightforwardly an authentic reflection of a reality, but it is an account of a particular form of interaction which is embedded within a socio-historical context (Atkinson and Silverman 1997; Sandelowski 2002; Alldred and Gillies 2008). It has also been argued that the
interview situation compels participants to perform in certain ways, and to present a particular version of their stories (Atkinson and Silverman 1997). It cannot be assumed, therefore, that interviews offer direct access to authentic experience, but rather the result of an interview should be understood as a construction of an experience which emerges from the interaction between the researcher and interviewee. However, interviews are the most effective way of answering certain research questions (Charmaz 2014). The aim of this research is to explore young women’s experiences and perceptions of living with a history of breast cancer and, therefore, the best way to do so was to utilise a method which facilitated the young women’s reflection upon these. A compelling argument of the fit between semi- structured interviewing to social constructionist grounded theory is provided by Charmaz, who argued that “interviewing focuses the topic while providing the interactive space and time to enable the research participant’s views and insights to emerge” (2014:85).
Having established the rationale for the choice of data collection method, I now describe the process of interviewing. Following this is a discussion of the ethical issues, which provides further details about the interviews.
Before the interview
Interviews lasted between 55 and 100 minutes, and all but three were carried out at the homes of the participants. The location of the interview was the choice of the interviewee. One chose her workplace and two chose to meet in public locations because this was more convenient for them. When we first met I aimed to put the interviewee at ease with some general conversation before beginning the interview, and also explained the purpose of the
Chapter Five – Methodology and research design
research and my background. The participants were then asked to read and if they wished to take part and agreed to being audio-recorded, to sign the consent form (Appendix D). After this, some basic demographic questions were asked and completed (Appendix E). Once it seemed that we were both comfortable and ready, I switched on the voice recorder and began the interview.
The interviews
An interview schedule (Appendix F) with eleven questions or topics to address was
prepared, but while I aimed to cover these, women were encouraged to tell their accounts in the order of their own choosing, and I tried to guide as little as possible. I always began with the open-ended question: “would you like to begin when you first thought something was wrong?” This usually then led women to describe their experience of discovering symptoms, going to their GP, and their diagnosis and treatment. The extent to which I asked questions or prompted women depended on how comfortable and confident each interviewee was in talking about herself for such a long time. Some women seemed more nervous or unsure and looked to me for guidance about what they should talk about, whereas others were able to continue talking with very little prompting from myself. Most of the interviews had a similar pattern of beginning with a long account from the discovery of symptoms through to the end of initial treatment. I would then ask interviewees to talk about their lives since the end of initial treatment since this was crucial to the focus of the research, and specific topics on the schedule which had not been discussed or which had only been mentioned in passing. Some of the questions and prompts were relatively broad and used more as a prompt to encourage women to continue their stories, such as: “can you talk about what life has been like since the end of treatment?” Others were more specific such as: “do you use the term breast cancer survivor about yourself?” It was always emphasised that women did not have to speak about topics which were particularly sensitive or upsetting, and I remained flexible, enabling
Chapter Five – Methodology and research design
women to speak freely for long periods of time, so that the decisions about what was spoken about and when, were shared between us.
Ending the interviews
I aimed to end interviews on a positive note if possible, asking interviewees if they could talk about any positive aspects about their experience of breast cancer. I then asked if there was anything else they would like to discuss, and provided ample time for them to consider this before asking if they would be happy ending the interview at this point. After switching off the recording equipment, interviewees were informed that they could be provided with a summary of the findings if they wished, and all participants expressed an interest in this. After leaving each interview, I made notes in my research diary, reflecting on the interview and how it had gone, and my initial thoughts on their account.