The relationship dynamic between researchers and subjects in the biographical interview: a case study in a Greek University

• Main Authors: Solomou, Anna, Asimaki, Anna, Tsiolis, Giorgos, Ravanis, Konstantinos
• Other Authors: Σολωμού, Άννα
• Format: Journal (paper)
• Language: English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Biographical research; Biographical narrative interview; Scientific capital; Βιογραφική έρευνα; Βιογραφική αφηγηματική συνέντευξη; Επιστημονικό κεφάλαιο

This article deals with the issue of the relationship dynamic between researchers and subjects within the framework of the conduct of a biographical narrative interview, which is used as a research tool in research in the field. Essentially, it endeavours to contribute to the social researcher’s feedback, through a critical dimension for thought on the research self. It aims at the investigation of the attitudes of professors (informants) at the University of Patras, concerning the influence that the position of the researcher in the university field exerts during the conduct of a biographical narrative interview, as well as the appraisal, on the part of the informants, of this influence, in order for them to narrate, think and reflect on the teaching act, at the University of Patras in Greece. More specifically, we attempted to approach and investigate the important matter of the entry of the researcher into the research field during empirical research of a qualitative nature. To analyse the attitudes of the informants, the concepts of “scientific field”, “scientific capital” and “symbolic power” from P. Bourdieu’s theory were used. The research was carried out in the years 2013-2014 with the use of the biographical narrative interview in which eight professors of various academic levels and Schools at the University of Patras participated. The research results showed that the informants’ narrative was facilitated by the position of the researcher in the field under investigation. It even emerged that knowledge of the “game” being played within the university field on the part of the researcher, as well as her position in relation to the informants, made her communication with them more efficient.