Disadvantage of qualitative methods Flashcards
P1: What is the main disadvantage of unstructured interviews?
They lack reliability and generalisability because they are flexible and vary in each interview, making them difficult to standardise and replicate.
Why are unstructured interviews difficult to replicate?
Each interview is unique, and the same results cannot be easily reproduced, undermining their reliability.
What is an example of unstructured interviews in sociological research?
Dobash and Dobash’s study of domestic violence used unstructured interviews with women in refuges, but the findings were based on a small, specific group.
How can interviewer bias affect unstructured interviews?
The interviewer’s personal characteristics (e.g., gender, ethnicity, social class) can influence responses, and participants may provide socially desirable answers.
What is the positivist critique of unstructured interviews?
Positivists argue that unstructured interviews are too subjective and lack objectivity, making structured interviews or questionnaires more suitable for generating general laws of behaviour.
P2: What are the ethical concerns with participant observation?
Covert participant observation involves deception and lack of informed consent, breaking ethical research guidelines.
What is the risk of “going native” in participant observation?
In overt observation, the researcher may become too involved with the group, losing objectivity and neutrality.
What is an example of ethical issues in participant observation?
James Patrick’s covert study of a Glasgow gang involved deception, and he had to leave early for safety reasons, raising ethical and practical concerns.
Why is participant observation criticised for lacking objectivity?
The researcher’s personal relationships and interpretations can shape the findings, making it difficult to separate their perspective from the data.
What is the positivist critique of participant observation?
Positivists argue that participant observation prioritises empathy over empirical evidence, undermining sociology’s credibility as a scientific discipline.
P3: What is the main disadvantage of using personal documents?
They are difficult to analyse and verify, as they are highly subjective and may not represent someone’s true beliefs or experiences.
Why might personal documents lack authenticity?
They are often written for personal or selective audiences, making it hard to determine if they are genuine or influenced by the intended reader.
What is an example of personal documents in sociological research?
Thomas and Znaniecki’s The Polish Peasant used letters from migrants, but these may have reflected what migrants wanted to portray rather than their actual experiences.
Why is it difficult to generalise findings from personal documents?
They are unique and context-specific, making it hard to apply the findings to wider populations or build general sociological theories.
What is a counter-argument to the limitations of personal documents?
Feminist or Marxist researchers argue that personal documents can give voice to marginalised groups, but critics say they are too individualised for broader sociological analysis.
