Disadvantages Of Unstructured Interveies

Question 1

Whats one practical problem

Answer 1

Time and sample size

Unstructured interviews take a long time to conduct - often several hours each.

This limits the number that can be carried out so the researcher will have a relatively small sample

Question 2

What’s the second practical disadvantage

Answer 2

Requires a skilled interviewer

Question 3

Why is requiring a skilled interviewer a disadvantage

Answer 3

It’s time consuming as they need to be trained

Interviewers need good interpersonal skills so they can establish rapport

Question 4

Whats a theoretical disadvantage

Answer 4

Lacks representativeness

Question 5

Why does it lack representativeness

Answer 5

The small numbers involved mean it is more likely that the sample interviewed will not be representative

This means that it will be harder to make valid generalisations based on the findings of the interviews

Question 6

What’s the second theoretical disadvantage

Answer 6

Lacks reliability

Question 7

Why does unstructured interviews lack reliability

Answer 7

They’re not standardised

Each interview is unique and different

This makes it virtually impossible for another researcher to replicate the interviews and compare the findings