The Written Interview in Qualitative Social Research

This article deals with the possibilities and restrictions of written interviews in qualitative social research. In the past, the written interview has played a marginal role in reactive qualitative data collection in both research practice and methodological approaches. There are hardly any systematical methodological reflections about the functions and applications of written and, in the meantime, mostly computer- and web-based research communications. This contribution argues that written research communication is an inquiry technique with which specific data can be elicited and which fulfills specific functions. By means of written communication individuals are able to objectify experiences which cannot (already) be verbalized face to face. Hence, the use of written interviews may enable qualitative research to study processes of "immediate" experience and experiences at the fringes of sociality.