Interviewing Reluctant Respondents: Strikes, Henchmen and Gaelic Games

Abstract

This paper deals with interviewing reluctant respondents. The analysis is used to construct a process oriented model of respondent rapport and empathy. By assessing respondent rapport in a reflective way the paper contributes to the sociology of knowledge generation and the construction of respondent reality of complex social phenomena. Using the authors¿ reflective experiences of a particular interview episode the stages of rapport building in the researcher-respondent relationship are assessed, providing guidance and lessons for future researchers. The limitations of the approach are considered and suggestions for future research are made