Interviews Flashcards
What are group interviews
Where a number of participants are interviewed at the same time
What is the group interview studied that I will link to
WILLIS
He carried out a group interview with 12 working class lad to find out how capitalism helped to shake their education
In the interview the boys were able to build on each others ideas which allowed for greater depth
He found that the boys inverted the school rules as the saw through the capitalist ideology and that not matter how hard the worked they wouldn’t succeed
What are the practical advantages of group interviews
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS - the researcher CAGE won’t matter as much as in a 1 to 1 interview as the ppts outnumber the interviewer giving ppts confidence to speak freely
TIME AND COST - likely doing the interviews in small groups is quicker than individual so saves time and consequently money
What are the practical disadvantages of group interviews
Topic - some people won’t want to discuss sensitive topics information of a group of fear of embarrassment
Recording data - many ppts talking makes it difficult to record info so special recording equipment is needed and consent for the use of that must also be gained
What are the ethical advantages of group interviews
INFORMED CONSENT is given as ppts chose whether to show up or not to the interview
What are the ethical disadvantage of group interviews
CONFIDENTIALITY- this is hindered by the presence of other as there is nothing stopping another ppts talking about what was said other the interview. This may make ppts less likely to say what they actually think and instead chose the socially desirable answer
PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM - this may occur if recalling painful memories in front of other
What is the theoretical advantage of group interviews
VALIDITY - more detailed in-depth data can be triggered by what others say. In WILLIS study the boys where able to build on what the others said
What is the theoretically disadvantages of group interviews
Reliablity - each group interview is different as different issues come up
Representative - some ppts will naturally dominate the discussion more so not representative of a wider target population
Impression management - could get responses of group culture, not individuals real views reduces validity
What is the unstructured interview that I will link to
Dobash and dobash - violence against women 1980
-carried out over 100 unstructured interviews of domestic violence victims
-some took up to 8 hours
-discussion points were ; the first , worst and last time
-they found that the trigger was often women challenging male authority
- they often used tending questions
What are the practical advantages of unstructured interviews
INFORMAL NATURE means that interviewer can build a rapport with the ppts, this will put then at ease when talking about sensitive topics e.g. dobash and dobash talked about domestic violence
What are the practical disadvantages of unstructured interviews
The depth and details makes this method very TIME CONSUMING making more costly and means less people can be interviewed e.g. Dobash and dobash interviews where up to 8 hours long
TRAINING INTERVIEWERS for this method needs to be more through so takes more time and is more costly. For example interviewers need good interpersonal skills so you appear no judgemental and compassionate
What are the ethical advantage of unstructured interviews
It’s a good way to research sensitive topics as the researcher can build a RAPPORT and trust with ppts which helps to MINIMISE HARD e.g D+D asked about domestic violence
What are the ethical disadvantages of unstructured interviews
Some people might feel uncomfortable discussing private sensitive info to a person face to face
PSYCHOLOGICAL HARM may occur when ppts recall negative experiences e.g D+D asked ppts to recall domestic violence and through doing this ppts have to relive their trauma
What are the theoretical advantages of using an unstructured interview
A rapport can be established allowing for depth of valid data and enable interviewer to gain verstehen .
FLEXIBLE as you can uncover more in-depth detailed data in new topic areas e.g. D+D tangent can hale them to also find out about criminal justice and mental health
It’s easy to check meanings - don’t have to stick to a script - VALIDITY
What are the theoretical disadvantages of unstructured interviews
Each interview in unique - low RELIABILITY e.g. D+D interview varies in length
HAWTHORNE EFFECT ppts might lie to give the socially desirable answer
Interviewer effect- tone of voice body language and leading questions could effect VALIDITY
It’s expensive and time consuming so is often done on a small scale so not like to be a REPRESENTATIVE sample
