Why I’m not mentally 100% available during research days…
Interviewing and moderating focus groups is a unique kind of job - requiring not only mental energy but physical athleticism as well. To outsiders, it might seem that asking questions is our primary task, but the reality is that while conducting an interview we are engaged in a complex interplay of cognitive and physical functions that can lead to significant fatigue. At the end of a research day, I usually want to curl up in my comfy clothes, give into my food and beverage cravings and practice intensive self-care for the rest of the night.
Colleagues, friends, family members - consider this a blanket apology if it feels as if I’ve disappeared on you for a day or two, and bear with me while I try to explain the unique nature of my job.
Firstly, the mental energy expended during an interview is considerable. We’ve got to actively listen to our interviewee, processing information in real-time while simultaneously formulating follow-up questions. It’s not only our question that is important, it is how we ask it that matters, and we’ve got to figure that out on the fly while continuing to engage in our discussion. This dual task requires focused attention and the ability to quickly analyze responses, assess non-verbal cues, and gauge the emotional tone of the conversation. The cognitive load can be overwhelming, as we have to track various threads of dialogue, remembering key points that can shape the direction of the interview. This constant mental analysis is essential for crafting relevant and insightful questions that delve deeper into the consumers’ experiences and lead us to impactful insights for our clients.
But let’s not forget the physical aspect of our job, which also plays a significant role in the interviewing process. Maintaining eye contact, engaging with the interviewee through body language, and even managing one's own posture is physically demanding. I try to meet each person on their own terms, mirroring back their energy and countenance to maintain connection and help them feel heard. It’s tough enough in a 1 to 1 interview, but imagine doing that with a group of 4, 5 or 6 different personalities. It can utterly deplete your energy, which then needs to be replenished for your next session. But this is crucial for creating a comfortable and engaging atmosphere, as it signals to our consumers the interviewer is genuinely interested and invested in the conversation and encourages them to continue to share. The physical presence required to establish rapport can be exhausting, especially during long interview sessions or back-to-back interviews with only short breaks in between to gather our thoughts.
Through it all, staying singularly focused during interviews is vital. Distractions can lead to missed cues, misunderstandings, and a general breakdown in communication that disrupts the flow of the group and just feels awkward. The difference between a good moderator and an ok one is the ability to maintain a natural flow in conversation - and that only happens when you are fully present and attuned to the nuances of the conversation. Once again, this level of concentration is tiring and can lead to mental fatigue, as we are continually processing information and adjusting our approach based on the interviewee's responses.
It’s also important to recognize that fieldwork itself is just one part of the job. Preparation, post-interview debriefs, adjustments to the discussion guide and the big one - analysis! - all require additional energy and focus. The interviewer's role encompasses much more than simply asking questions; it involves a thorough analysis of what has been said, which in turn informs our implications and recommendations. So after the fieldwork has ended is when the more intense work begins - also requiring mental and physical stamina.
The cumulative effect of these factors can lead to a level of exhaustion that is often greater than that experienced in other work tasks. The intensive nature of qualitative research, combining both mental and physical demands, highlights the need for those of us that “do qual” to manage our energy effectively. Incorporating breaks, maintaining a balanced workload, setting boundaries (thank you for reading!) and practicing self-care all help to mitigate the fatigue associated with our roles as qualitative researchers.
To my friends and family that may be missing me on fieldwork and analysis days - I promise to double down on the time we DO spend together, being fully present in your presence to make up for it. Gracias for tu comprension :)
