People are not very good at providing accurate explanations for their behavior or predicting what they are likely to do. This is a well documented dynamic that presents challenges for anyone hoping to gaining insight through an interview.
Qualitative researchers may find valuable lessons from a unique approach used by police.
In 1975, a study on criminal-investigations revealed the testimony of an eyewitness was critical in determining whether a case was solved or not. However, it was also shown that many eyewitness reports were unreliable due in large part to flawed interviewing techniques common at the time. The police needed a better approach to uncovering what witnesses actually experienced.
Cognitive Interviewing was developed in 1984 …show more content…
Studies also confirm when memories of events are recalled, the emotional state associated with the experience are also reactivated—bringing clarity to the emotional drivers of behaviors.
Finally, experiments show visual memories shift over time to fit within the larger narratives of meaning people construct out of the significant moments of their lives. While memories might not provide perfect recall, they do provide clarity about the foundational frameworks and mental models people us in decision making.
Cognitive Inquiry is not a radically new technique for getting experience-based insights. Rather, it is a proven approach from a different discipline which can serve as a source of inspiration. This technique shares many of the characteristics of good qualitative interviews but it also offers some important differences which are worth further study.
This paper presents the value of studying real memories, outlines key principles and techniques used in Cognitive Interviewing, and discuss its applications with examples of how the technique has been
Qualitative researchers may find valuable lessons from a unique approach used by police.
In 1975, a study on criminal-investigations revealed the testimony of an eyewitness was critical in determining whether a case was solved or not. However, it was also shown that many eyewitness reports were unreliable due in large part to flawed interviewing techniques common at the time. The police needed a better approach to uncovering what witnesses actually experienced.
Cognitive Interviewing was developed in 1984 …show more content…
Studies also confirm when memories of events are recalled, the emotional state associated with the experience are also reactivated—bringing clarity to the emotional drivers of behaviors.
Finally, experiments show visual memories shift over time to fit within the larger narratives of meaning people construct out of the significant moments of their lives. While memories might not provide perfect recall, they do provide clarity about the foundational frameworks and mental models people us in decision making.
Cognitive Inquiry is not a radically new technique for getting experience-based insights. Rather, it is a proven approach from a different discipline which can serve as a source of inspiration. This technique shares many of the characteristics of good qualitative interviews but it also offers some important differences which are worth further study.
This paper presents the value of studying real memories, outlines key principles and techniques used in Cognitive Interviewing, and discuss its applications with examples of how the technique has been