The art of managing silence in research interviews
How to handle pauses and awkward silences as a qualitative researcher
When I’m conducting a qualitative interview, it’s really common for an interviewee to pause or trail off into silence. Sometimes it’s obvious that they’re still thinking something through, and it’s easy to sit and wait for them to start back up again - but other times, it can be unclear what they’re thinking and the silence might start to feel awkward.
It can be tempting in these moments to jump in and ‘rescue’ our interviewee - but beware of bias! You might catch yourself leading your participant, offering your own thoughts and experiences, or jumping ahead to another discussion point.
Why does silence feel so awkward?
Silence often feels awkward, both for researchers and participants. There’s a natural instinct to want to fill the space with words or explanations, but doing so can unintentionally steer the conversation. People aren’t used to prolonged silence, especially in formal or structured settings like interviews, and sometimes this discomfort leads them to sharing more unfiltered thoughts that they were initially reluctant to volunteer.
I want to jump in here and say that we should not be intentionally making our research participants uncomfortable - we’re not pressuring them into saying things they don’t want to! This is why there’s a delicate balancing act, and I talk about the ‘art’ of silence. We want to allow the silence to signal to our participant that we’re waiting for them to say more, and that if there’s more they have to say then we’d like them to share it.
However, balancing that silence with a friendly tone is key to ensuring the research remains comfortable and productive. If we create the right atmosphere, silence can feel encouraging rather than uncomfortable.
Creating a comfortable atmosphere
Before the interview begins, it's helpful to prepare participants for moments of silence by briefing them up front. Let them know that you might ask them to pause and think, or that you’ll sometimes remain silent to give them space to reflect. This way, they understand that silence isn’t something to be anxious about; rather, it’s part of the process.
It helps too to reassure your participant that you’re interested in everything they have to say, it’s all really useful, and that they should take as much time as they need to think about things.
You might say something like:
“Just so you know, I might leave pauses here and there to give you time to think. There’s no rush to answer, so feel free to take your time.”
I like to try and establish a bit of humour to ease any nerves, so I tend to say something like:
“If it seems like you’re thinking about sometimes, I’ll just sit silently and wait. That can feel a little weird! If you’re all done and ready to move on, just let me know - I just like to give you as much time as you need.”
Neutral prompts
When the silence feels particularly awkward, it’s tempting to jump in. To avoid taking over the conversation, we can use neutral prompts to gently encourage the participant without steering them in any particular direction. Here are some I like to use:
"Hmmmmm" – A neutral, thoughtful sound that shows you’re actively listening without pushing the conversation forward.
"What are you thinking now?" – A direct approach that gives the participant permission to voice whatever it is that’s giving them pause.
"Would you like to stop and think about that question for a moment?" – If a participant seems stuck, this can ease the tension by signalling that it's okay to pause, and to check in with you if they need to.
"Should we come back to that?" – When participants appear uncomfortable, this gives them an option to return to the topic later.
Rephrasing the question
Sometimes, the silence isn’t just about awkwardness—it may be a signal that the question itself needs reframing. Make sure the interviewee understood you, and take the opportunity to explore the question together. For example:
"Shall we talk about that question for a moment?" – and use the opportunity to explore the phrasing of the question itself, what you meant by it, and what the participant understood
This technique works particularly well when a participant seems unsure or hesitant, and can give the opportunity to chew over adjacent topics.
Refreshments to the rescue
Sometimes taking a moment to do something neutral and unrelated can break the tension of an awkward silence. Offering your interviewee a biscuit, pouring a fresh cup of tea, or even taking a sip of water yourself provides a natural, non-verbal pause. This not only gives participants time to process their thoughts but also allows them to reset without feeling rushed. Taking small breaks like these helps maintain a relaxed, comfortable environment for the interview.
Silence can start to feel uncomfortable for researchers, too, so these small gestures also give you a moment to steady your own nerves. Pauses like these can serve as a soft reset, helping everyone feel more at ease and ready to continue.
Silence is a skill
Mastering the art of silence is one of the most valuable skills a researcher can develop. It’s not just about resisting the urge to speak, but about understanding when and how to use that silence to create space for deeper insights. Sometimes interviewees need a moment to sit with their thoughts, time to reflect, or even to build up the courage to ask us something. Embracing these pauses can feel uncomfortable, but they’re often the moments when participants offer unexpected insights or vulnerable truths
The next time you find yourself in a silent moment during an interview, try leaning into it—you might be surprised at what your participant has to say when given the time to think things over.