New in-depth analyzing approach: the ‘integrative basic method’ as possibility for reconstruct dynamics from couple interviews in context of sensitive themes

Context: 

The project explores how couples communicate about sexuality. The aim was to generate (joint) narratives of couples about their shared sexuality through couple interviews. These narratives provide insights into internal negotiation processes that are otherwise inaccessible. To analytically reconstruct these negotiation processes, particularly flexible methods of analysis are required.

Goals and Method:
Ten semi-structured qualitative interviews with couples aged 19 to 59 were conducted. The study applies the integrative basic method (iB), a reconstructive approach based on linguistic assumptions. This method allowed reconstruct meaning while also considering the dynamics of the couple interview setting.

Results:
The iB method meets the complex demands of analyzing couple interviews. Its initial linguistic step slows down interpretation and enhances precision. In a second step, combining agency analysis, positioning analysis, and metaphor analysis enables the reconstruction of both reported and spontaneous negotiations within the couple interactions. This approach also makes it possible to reflect on the interviewer’s role in the three-way interaction and to reconstruct how the couple performs their relationship during the interview.

Conclusions:
The iB method functions as a “keychain,” offering flexible adaptation to diverse types of data. Different analytical heuristics can be applied within one coherent framework, allowing both thematic and methodological dimensions of couple interviews to be addressed. Moreover, my findings highlight the ethical sensitivity of researching intimate topics. Conducting couple interviews in such contexts requires careful ethical consideration and awareness of possible effects on participants.