Methodological Reflections on Closing Qualitative Interviews with Women Drug Users

• Main Authors: Charlotte N. E. Thompkins, Laura Sheard, Joanne Neale
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2008-10-01
• Series: Methodological Innovations
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.4256/mio.2008.0003

This article reflects on closing in-depth interviews with women drug users and is based on a grounded theory study conducted with 45 female injectors in two areas of the United Kingdom (UK). In order to bring the interviews to a natural close and to focus the discussion on more positive topics than had been discussed in the main sections of the interview, participants were asked about their plans and hopes for the future. Four methodological issues emerged. These related to the final questions regarding future plans as more than a technique to end interviews; the participants' optimism; unanticipated ethical issues, and time constraints. We discuss our findings by drawing parallels between Parson's work on the doctor/patient relationship and the interviewer/interviewee interaction. The implications for future research with drug users, and potentially other vulnerable and chaotic groups, are also considered.