INTERVIEWS AS RESEARCH EVIDENCE: ARE THEY CONVINCING?

 

1.      In Turkle’s “Growing Up Tethered” interviews by both parents and their children are extensively used to make her points about the use of the Internet.  They are revealing, heartfelt and convincing, but they could mask a wider truth.

2.      Whilst some wider statistics are contained in the article, she uses her interview quotes to validate many of her points.  Whilst this certainly gives a detailed point of view, they may not be most common experience of using the Internet (in this case).  The quotes used hit home when they align with the readers own experience.  For example, she quotes a parent who says,

"I’ve sent a text. Nothing back. And I know they have their phones. Intellectually, I know there is little reason to worry. But there is something about this unanswered text. Sometimes, it made me a bit nutty. One time, I kept sending texts, over and over. I envy my mother. We left for school in the morning. We came home. She worked. She came back, say at six. She didn’t worry. I end up imploring my children to answer my every message. Not because I feel I have a right to their instant response. Just out of compassion." (Turkle, 2020).

3.      This is a situation I, and I’m sure others have experienced when using WhatsApp or texting and validates my opinion of the disadvantages of being me (and clearly this poor parent) and using this app.  It may not be the wider truth however.  Statistics (say) reinforce an argument by giving a broad picture but they are cold and often open to challenge due to the way they can be qualified or use selectively.  Likewise, so can the use of interview and testimony.  In this case, I agree with Turkle’s interviewee.  It is my truth as it is my experience and clearly that of Turkle’s frustrated parent but for many others, perhaps a little less highly strung about the issue, it is not their experience and not their truth.  This group maybe the majority.

4.      To support a point in a paper the more evidence the more the writer will recruit to his or her point of view.  The more methods employed to justify a position the more likely it is be true.  We can see this contrasted by the Shira Chess et al piece “What Does a Gamer Look Like? Video Games, Advertising, and Diversity” where tables and data are used powerfully to reinforce their argument.  Whilst confusing and perhaps cold to the casual reader this does suggest more research has been performed.

5.      The power of an interview is it gives feeling and nuance that other “point provers” cannot.  It is very powerful and personal but on its own may not be enough to make a position compelling.  Multiple sources and multiple data collections together with anecdotal experience will always be more compelling in making an argument.  The interview and personal testimony generally will give any argument feeling and depth but should be used together with other compelling information to portray the truth and convince the reader.

 

S P RATTLEY

 

Cited:

1.      Turkle, Sherry.  Growing up Tethered -- Inquiry to Academic Writing: A text and Reader, 5^th Edition: page 583-: 2020. Ebook

2.      Chess, Shira. Evans, Nathaniel J. and Baines, Joyya Jadawn. “What Does a Gamer Look Like? Video Games, Advertising, and Diversity - Inquiry to Academic Writing: A text and Reader, 5^th Edition: page 636: 2020. Ebook