What is it about?
This article is about the influence of the language participants are interviewed in upon the nature and quality of the data generated. It shows how participants answered the same questions in a second language of English and a native language of Chinese, and how the answers differed and were similar. It also suggests a range of approaches to dealing with the issues generated by these differences.
Featured Image
Why is it important?
It is important because the influence of language on the data generated is very often an element not considered, or taken for granted. This article shows this should not be the case, and that it is essential to consider how the choice of language may or may not affect the data gathered.
Perspectives
This study was important for me because no one had to this date done a similar study, and the approach to undertaking the study was also fascinating and eye-opening. I found it fascinating to consider and think about the differences generated, and also fascinating working on the project with my co-authors.
Dr Nick Pilcher
Edinburgh Napier University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Language choices and 'blind shadows': investigating interviews with Chinese participants, Qualitative Research, October 2011, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/1468794111413225.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
