How and why group interviewing improves the analysis of political reasoning : Group composition and discursive dynamics

Résumé 0

Group interviewing is sparsely used in France. In setting forth the arguments for the academic validity of this method, we first contend that the interviewed groups operate as an interaction context for the participants, thus providing the researcher with a meso analysis level between the individual and society. The various possible research designs are then discussed in the light of the international literature. Finally, two original studies (relating to attitudes towards politics and exposure to the 2007 French presidential campaign) are used to illustrate how this method can throw light on the analysis of political reasoning. Results demonstrate how political reasoning functions and how it may relate to one’s own life experience rather than political sophistication.