kenttähaastattelujen

Kenttähaastattelut, often translated as field interviews or street interviews, are a research method involving direct, face-to-face conversations with individuals in a public setting. This approach is commonly employed in qualitative research across various disciplines, including sociology, market research, and journalism. The primary goal of field interviews is to gather firsthand information, opinions, and experiences from a target population in their natural environment.

The process typically involves researchers approaching people in public spaces such as streets, parks, shopping centers, or public events. The selection of participants can be random or based on specific demographic criteria, depending on the research objectives. Researchers ask a set of pre-determined questions or engage in more open-ended discussions to explore a particular topic. The informal and spontaneous nature of field interviews can lead to candid responses and insights that might be difficult to obtain through more structured or remote methods.

Advantages of field interviews include their ability to capture immediate reactions and contextual information. Researchers can observe non-verbal cues, such as body language and environment, which can enrich the understanding of the participant's perspective. However, challenges can include potential sampling bias, as not everyone in a public space may be willing to participate, and the difficulty of ensuring participant anonymity. Ethical considerations, such as informed consent and avoiding coercion, are paramount in conducting field interviews responsibly. The data collected is often transcribed and analyzed thematically to identify patterns and themes relevant to the research question.