At Prime Expertise, qualitative data collection is something we truly enjoy. The reason is simple: we love to talk, discuss, and most importantly, listen to what participants have to share during interviews. The beauty of qualitative research lies in the depth and richness of the information we gather, which comes from fostering open and meaningful conversations. To achieve this, we focus on creating a smooth and welcoming environment for every interview, with rapport-building being a key strategy from the outset.
In Tanzania, one of the easiest ways to establish rapport – especially with men – often revolves around the nation’s love for football. Local football, particularly the rivalry between the two biggest teams, Simba SC and Young Africans SC (Yanga), is a frequent topic of conversation. By kicking off our focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) with light-hearted football banter, we find that participants feel more at ease and open to sharing their thoughts. This has consistently proven to be an effective practice, especially in male-dominated discussions.
Of course, not every conversation starts with football. Depending on the context and the participants, we use different strategies to connect with our interviewees. Whether it’s a relevant cultural reference, humour, or a genuine personal connection, we adapt our approach to make participants comfortable and willing to provide valuable insights.
The image below showcases one of our recent field interviews. You’ll notice an adult male participant wearing a Young Africans SC jersey, alongside an adolescent, both appearing relaxed and engaged in the discussion. This is the result of thoughtful rapport building – our approach that turns interviews into conversations, where participants feel free to express themselves fully.
Featured images: Theresia Mushi & Maurine Kachele for Prime Expertise
