interviews Flashcards
interviews
sociologists use different types of interviews in their research. these range from completely structured to completely unstructured interviews. the difference between them lies in how free the interviwer is to vary the questions and the way they are asked.
- structured or formal interviews
are very similar to a questionnaire: the interviewer is given strict instructions on how to ask the questions. the interview is conducted in the same standardised way each time, asking each interviewee precisely the same questions, word for word, in the same order, tone of voice and so on
- unstructured or informal interviews
are like a guided conversation. the interviewer has complete freedom to vary the questions, their wording, order and so on from one interview to the next, pursuing whatever line of questioning seems appropriate at the time, asking follow up questions or probing more deeply.
- semi structured interviews
lie in between these two extremes. each interview has the same set of questions in common, by the interviewer can also probe for more information
- group interviews
most interviews are one to one, but some are group interviews, with up to a dozen or so people being interviewed.
focus group are a form of group interviews in which the researcher asks the group to discuss certain topics
structured interviews
are like questionnaires both involve asking people a set of prepared questions. the main difference is that in the interview, the questions are read out and the answers filled in by a trained interviewer.
- pratical issues of structured interviews
- training interviewees is relatively starightforward and inexpesnsive, since all they really require to do is follow a set of instructions. however, it is more costly than simply posting or emailing questionniares to people
- surveys that use structured interviews can cover quite large numbers of people with relatively limited resources. however, can still not match the huge numbers reached by postal questionnaires
- structured interviews are sutiable for gathering straightfoward information such as persons age or job
- the results are easily quantified because they use close ended questions with coded answers.
- response rate of structured interviews
the large numbers who can be surveyed using structured interviews increase the chances of obtaining a representative sample of the population. although the numbers that can be studied are lower than for questionnaires, structured interviews generally have a higher response rate.
response rates can be increase if the interviewer can make serval call backs to pursue those who fail to respond initially. however, this increases the costs of the survey.
high response rates help to produce a more represntative result and therefore better basis for making generalisations.
- reliability
if a method is reliable, another sociologist could repeat the research and get the same results. structured interviews are seen as reliable because it is easy for the researcher to standardise and control them. they can ensure that each interviewer is conducted in precisely the same way, with the same questions, same order, with the same wording and tone of voice.
if each interviewer conducts every interview in the same way, then any other researcher following the same interview procedures should get very similar results.
- validity
a valid method is one that provides a true, authentic picture of the topic being researched. critics of structured interviews argue that, like questionnaires, they often produce a false picture of the subjects they are trying to study
- structured interviews usually use close ended questions that restrict interviewees to choosing from a limited number of pre set answers.
- give interviewees very little freedom to explain questions or clarify misunderstandings.
- people may lie or exaggerate. these response will produce false data.
the interview is a social interaction and so there is always a risk that the interaction between intervieweer and interviewee will infulence answers given
- inflexibility
like self completed questionnaires, structured interviews suffer from the inflexability that comes from having to draw up the questions in advance. in doing do, the researcher has already decided what is important - yet this may not coincide with what the interviewee thinks is important
as a result, the findings may lack validity because they do not reflect the interviewees concerns and priorities. in particular, establishing the questions beforehand and then sticking to them rigidly will make it impossible to pursue any instresting leads that emerge
- feminist criticisms
graham argues that surveymethods such as questionnaires and structured interviews and patriarchal and give a disorted, invalid picture of womens experince.
other feminist favour unstructured interviews, which enable the researcher to build a more equal and collaborative relationship based on trust, empathy and support.
unstructured interviews
unstructured interviews has complete freedom to vary the interview. supporters argue that this brings a number of important advantages.
- rapport and sensitivity
the informality of unstructured interviews allows the interviewer to develop a relationship of trust and understanding with the interviewee. this is more likely to put the interviewee at their ease and encourages them to open up than a formal structured interview
- the interviewees view
because there are no set questions, unstructured interviews allow the interviewee more opportunity to speak out about those things they think are important. this contrasts with the structured interview, where the researcher decides in advance the questions.
