The Cost of Metadata Misalignment: A Reflective Account of Failed Semi-Structured Interviews

Abstract

This reflective paper examines a novice researcher’s experience with semi-structured interviews, focusing on the consequences of failing to internalise research objectives. Despite conducting lengthy and seemingly successful interviews, the researcher later identified a critical misalignment between research aims, interview questions, and the data collected. This misalignment limited the analytical value of the dataset and ultimately led to journal rejection. Drawing on mentor feedback and reviewer comments, the paper highlights the importance of methodological coherence in qualitative research, particularly the alignment between research design, data collection, and analysis. It also challenges the assumption that rich or extensive data necessarily leads to meaningful findings, emphasising instead the need for relevance to clearly defined objectives. Framed as a process of reflective learning, the paper argues that research competence develops through the internalisation of research purposes and the ability to translate them into practice.