PRINCIPIOS DE SOSTENIBILIDAD AMBIENTAL DE LAS NUEVAS DISPOSICIONES LEGISLATIVAS

IPA studies have been conducted using a variety of methods such as focus groups, participant observations, and diaries.

4.3.1 Semi-structured interviews

Semi-structured interviews were used in this research as they provided an opportunity to uncover the stories, thoughts and feelings of participants and their experiences of CBT placements. This was described by Smith et al. (2009), who also noted that these interviews permit an intimate focus on a person’s experiences through in-depth and personal discussion, and are thus optimal for most IPA studies. Semi-structured interviews facilitate consistency of questions between participants whilst providing them with space to think, speak and be heard (Smith et al., 2009).

The primary purpose of the interview schedule was to provide participants with an opportunity to talk about their experiences with minimal interruption from the interviewer

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(Smith et al., 2009). In order to achieve this, the interview schedule (Appendix A) was put to the test in a pilot study with two students from my course. The first question was chosen to allow the participant to provide a descriptive account of their different placements, with subsequent questions being chosen to cover potential influences on their experiences such as supervision and professional identity as well as those relating to their evaluation and perceptions of CBT as an approach. The interview questions proved successful in the pilot study, providing the participants with both time and space to recall their experiences and to express their thoughts about CBT.

These questions were designed to be open and expansive so as not to lead them to a particular answer or to make assumptions about their experience or concerns (Smith et al., 2009). Questions that were over-empathetic, manipulative, leading or closed were avoided. Instead, following guidance in Smith et al., (2009), questions that were descriptive, narrative, structural, contrasting, evaluative, circular or comparative in nature were used, with the use of additional prompts and probes. In line with this guidance Question 6, “How have your experiences as counselling psychology trainee shaped your views about CBT as a theoretical model?” was reworded following the pilot study to, “How do you view your CBT work as a counselling psychology trainee?”. The original wording of the question was found to be both confusing and leading, interrupting the flow of the interview by requiring clarification from the interviewer.

These interview questions used in the study proved effective in facilitating the participants’ thoughts and feelings. However, it was observed in the findings that significant overlap exists between these questions and the study’s IPA themes. It seems likely that the

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questions themselves guided the participants to discuss specific topics. This is explored further in the limitations section of the discussion chapter.

4.3.2 Skype

Skype is a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology, acquired by the Microsoft Corporation in 2011, which offers free communication over the internet. It has proven to be an effective method for conducting interviews because it overcomes logistical, financial, and time-commitment barriers that attendance at interviews in person may pose (Cater, 2011; Deakin & Wakefield, 2013; Iacono, Symonds, & Brown, 2016). All of the research participants took advantage of Skype. It proved popular as it made allowances for the competing demands on their time from work-based placements, attendance at university, and working on their own dissertations. It also gave easy access to participants across the UK that would not have been possible without it.

Establishing rapport and observing non-verbal communication are important factors in successful face-to-face interviews (Brinkmann & Kvale, 2005; Rowley, 2012). It has been suggested that these elements may be poorly replicated with Skype because non-verbal communication may be limited (Cater, 2011) but there is a growing consensus that these fears are unfounded (Sullivan, 2012). Facial expressions provided by Skype’s video function give valuable non-verbal communication and it allows more attention to be paid to audible cues (Seitz, 2015). Participants are able to pick a comfortable environment, are not required to travel a long distance to an unknown location, and are able to talk openly (Hanna, 2012). These factors mean that rapport may be established faster (Deakin and Wakefield, 2013).

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In this study, the participants appreciated having the option to use Skype, and they chose to interview in the comfort of their homes, having allocated time in their schedules when they would not be disturbed or distracted. This supports Hanna’s (2012) observation that participants can feel confortable when using Skype in a place and at a time of their choosing. As final year counselling psychology trainees, the researcher and the participants also shared an identity which provided common ground through which to explore the research topic. All of these factors helped rapport to be established between the participants and the researcher, evident in the participants’ free expression of their thoughts, feelings, and opinions during the interviews. Under such conditions this study supports the general conclusion of Deakin and Wakefield (2013) that Skype can be an effective medium by which to establish rapport.

As with any IT equipment technical faults can occur with Skype. To mitigate the risk of interruption, the participants were asked to find a location with a reliable internet connection. While no technical problems occurred, the participants had been forewarned that a poor connection (audio or video) would be unsuitable for later transcription and analysis. If there had been an interruption the interview would have been suspended until a better connection was established or rescheduled. The participants were also informed about limitation of confidentiality. The Skype user’s agreement states that the content of users’ emails, chats, or video calls will remain private but there are limits to confidentiality if a request for access is made by law enforcement authorities (Microsoft, 2016). Before the interview, participants were asked to complete and sign consent and demographic forms by email or through the post.