Inimtervise

Inimtervise is a method of conducting qualitative interviews that emphasizes iterative engagement between interviewer and respondent. It combines elements of semi-structured interviewing with reflexive validation, aiming to elicit deeper insights by incorporating feedback loops and collaborative interpretation during and after interviews.

Core features of inimtervise include a semi-structured guide planned to cover key topics while allowing open-ended responses, iterative synthesis where the interviewer paraphrases or restates interpretations for respondent confirmation, and an explicit audit trail of coding and analytic decisions. Ethical considerations, consent, confidentiality, and accessibility are integral to the approach, with attention given to power dynamics and respondent comfort.

The typical process involves clear consent and framing, an initial interview using the semi-structured guide, in-interview validation where the interviewer checks understanding, documentation of interpretations, and a follow-up interview or debrief for clarification. Data collected is often analyzed through iterative coding with participant validation at defined stages.

Applications of inimtervise span journalism, ethnographic research, market and policy research, and stakeholder consultations. Benefits cited include richer, more reliable interpretations and greater respondent engagement; limitations include higher resource demands, specialized training needs, and the potential for over-interpretation if checks are not rigorously applied.

Variants of the method differentiate by tempo (synchronous versus asynchronous), modality (in-person, video, or phone), and degree of participant involvement in the analytic process. See also Interview; Qualitative research; Member checking; Reflexivity.