Involvement and Detachment in Researching Sexuality: Reflections on the Process of Semistructured Interviewing

The authors reflect on the utility of the concept of involvement-detachment for researchers involved in a study of the lifeworlds of gay, lesbian, and bisexual young people where one of the researchers was lesbian and focus on the process of semistructured interviewing in qualitative research.

Abstract

In this article, the authors reflect on the utility of the concept of involvement-detachment for researchers involved in a study of the lifeworlds of gay, lesbian, and bisexual young people where one of the researchers was lesbian. They focus in particular on the process of semistructured interviewing in qualitative research and the analysis of material generated by the interviews, noting that complete detachment from the subject of study is neither achievable nor desirable. They discuss the benefit of teamwork in supporting researchers and enhancing the integrity of the research, particularly when the subject is sensitive, the importance of researchers' active management of their own ideological leanings, and the understanding of project management as a conceptual and cognitive process that is fundamental to enhancing research rigor.