Imaginative Interviewing: Using narrative techniques to elicit data

Great stories - the ones that keep us up at night turning another page or watching that next episode - do two things well.

1. They give us incredible insight into a character’s thoughts and feelings


2. They bring us along on a journey of unanticipated events

Qualitative interviews have the potential to do the same things. But, interviewers often rely on the same cookie-cutter questions that neither provide insights into interior thoughts, feelings, and beliefs nor exterior events. This talk explores the what, how, and why of imaginative interviewing. Adapting techniques from narrative inquiry and fiction writing, Maya explores the unique features and benefits of using imaginative interviewing techniques in evaluation. With real-world examples, she shares when she has successfully (and not so successfully) used this method in her evaluation practice. Audience members can begin building their imaginative stamina with the practical strategies and lessons learned shared in this presentation. Audience members will gain new insights into using interviewing as a method for data collection.