Interviews with the Elite and with Experts. Are There Any Differences?

Abstract

A comparison of the predominantly German-language literature on expert interviews in international articles on interviewing the elite reveals more commonalities than differences. Similar issues are discussed in both, such as the problems of gaining access to these groups, and the specifics of interaction and interviewing. Although not identical, the respective target group definitions (experts and the elite) for such interviews overlap. This article discusses the commonalities and differences in these two methodological approaches, thereby contributing to a more detailed specification of the methodology of expert interviews. It concludes with an appeal based on the sociology of knowledge that the (professional) functional elite—given their positions of power—be considered as a specific group of experts. From a methodological perspective and as a result of their specific background knowledge ("know why") and know-how, experts (and thus also the elite) are of relevance to social and political science research. Consequently, interviews with the elite aimed at generating explicit, tacit, professional or occupational knowledge should be seen as expert interviews. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0803161