Abstract
Interview as a method would continue to remain popular to understand the lived experiences of a vulnerable population. Older persons, as a vulnerable group, require special methodological considerations while interviewing. Experience of interviewing older persons living in extreme poverty can contribute to the methodological innovation for interview-based research. Relying on the experiences of life-history interviews with 37 older persons living in extreme poverty in Bangladesh, this article aims to shed light on the overall experiences and challenges encountered throughout a fieldwork. The research sheds light on several practical, emotional, as well as ethical aspects that impact the interview process. In doing so, the article critically engages in the discussion of power imbalance between researcher and interviewee, informed consent process, dilemmas regarding appropriate mode showing empathy and solidary. Silence of the older persons during interviews found to be innovative if carefully analysed. Recognising that interviews may leave long-lasting emotional scars with researchers, the article stresses having a proper mechanism in place to deal with ethical and emotional concerns equally protecting interviewees and researchers. In conclusion, the research highlights key learning and brings forward crucial questions and concerns to be further debated and investigated.
Presenters
Owasim AkramDoctoral Researcher, Department of Political Science, Örebro University, Sweden
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
Qualitative Methodology, Interview, Ageing, Poverty, Bangladesh
