Kassel-Halle Interpretation Workshop

Kassel-Halle Interpretation Workshop Program (an update, November 2020) Friederike Heinzel (University of Kassel), Rolf-Torsten Kramer (University of Halle), and Hedda Bennewitz (University of Kassel).

The Kassel-Halle Interpretation Workshop sees itself as an instrument for the promotion of scientists in qualification phases in the field of qualitative research methods. It provides a fixed interpretation context for regular joint material interpretations, for requests for qualitative-interpretative research approaches and for methodological discussions. Primarily, this interpretation workshop is aimed at people involved in research and qualification projects in the fields of work of Hedda Bennewitz, Friederike Heinzel and Rolf-Torsten Kramer. Within limits, however, it is also open to participation from outside.

The interpretation workshop pursues the following goals:

1. the safeguarding of qualitative interpretations through the corrective of the group. Most interpretative methods of qualitative social research agree that in order to overcome a narrowing by the own perspective - the individual-biographical location-boundness - the common case evaluation in the group is necessary.

2. the possibility of practical familiarization with interpretation procedures.here, too, most interpretation procedures agree that the acquisition of an interpretative approach to analysis can only take place purely theoretically to a very limited extent, but must take place in the sense of an art apprenticeship in practical execution and supported by the participation of familiarized interpreters (as socialization).

3. the possibility of overarching methodological discussions.the overripe discussion, criticism or also the contrasting comparison of different interpretation methods (e.g. on the relationship of individual methods to each other or on triangulation possibilities) requires its own space. If necessary, dates of the interpretation workshop - e.g. 1 x per semester - should be explicitly reserved for this purpose.

In order to pursue these goals, certain conditions are attached to the constitution of the interpretation workshop:

  • As regular an attendance as possible at the interpretation sessions to establish a functioning interpretation group.
  • A group size of 10 to 15 persons.
  • An own qualitatively oriented research practice in the context of the qualification project should be given or at least aspired.
  • The willingness to contribute own material from the qualification work and according to the question pursued there to the interpretation workshop.The willingness to inform about completed interpretations and their possible publication, provided that these also relate to joint analyses in the interpretation workshop.

In order to secure the process, the scheduling and the allocation of the individual dates will be coordinated centrally and alternately at both locations. For this purpose, a rotation model is planned, with which a department of one of the supporting university teachers will take over the logistical coordination for the current 3 dates per year. Participants should coordinate their wishes regarding dates and procedures with this coordination as far in advance as possible. The contributors of material (i.e. the "active" participants) can set their own accents and articulate their interests and wishes. For example, they can make clear whether they would prefer to interpret material, discuss the conception of their qualification projects or conduct a methodological debate. Corresponding material, short presentations or inputs are to be sent to all participants with the invitation one week in advance, indicating the orientation of the meeting. The invitation and mailing will be done by the central coordination in Kassel or Halle. So that the data material, which is often sensitive to data protection requirements, is not scattered uncontrollably, a binding registration for the Kassel-Halle interpretation workshop is initially planned as a mode, so that the material can then be sent by the organizers at the latest one week before the date only to the registered participants*.

The material contributors will independently ensure the possibility of a technical recording of the interpretation. They can motivate the other participants for the common interpretation and discussion additionally by a small assortment of healthy and/or sweet things. Coffee, tea and drinks will be provided by the host sites on a rotating basis.

For the individual sessions of the interpretation workshop, depending on the agreed procedure at the beginning, more or less explicit reference is to be made to the system and the questions of the qualification project. In addition, there will be a short input as needed with regard to the interpretation method to be applied then, before the entry into the material or the discussion takes place.

Halle & Kassel, November 2020

gez. Friederike Heinzel, Rolf-Torsten Kramer & Hedda Bennewitz