INTERVIEWS Flashcards
Young and Willmott (Response Rate, Reliable, Structured Interviews, Advantages)-
The large numbers who can be surveyed using structured interviews increases the chances of obtaining a representative sample of the population. Although numbers studied are lower than that of questionnaires, they have a higher response rate. Young and Willmott in their 1962 study used structured interviews to research into extended families in East London. Out of the 987 people they approached, only 54 refused to be interviewed, which may be a result of people finding it harder to turn things down face-to-face. These interviews are also highly reliable as they can be repeated as structured interviews are easier to standardise and control- they can ensure each interview is conducted in the same way, with the same wording, tone of voice, and questions.
Eval (Graham, Validity, Feminist Criticisms, Structured Interviews, Disadvantages)-
- Critics argue that structured interviews can produce a false picture.
- Due to closed-answers, some peoples true answers may not match what is presented, giving invalid results.
- There’s also little freedom to explain questions or clarify misunderstandings.
- Not only this but the interaction between the interviewer and interviewee may also influence answers given, such as ethnic or gender differences.
- Graham notes that structured interviews are often patriarchal as they give a distorted view of a woman’s experience.
- She argues that the researcher is in control and controls the line of questioning, which mirrors woman’s subordination.
- Survey methods also treat woman as isolated individuals rather than seeing them in the context of the power relationships which oppress them.
- They also impose the researcher’s categories on woman which makes it difficult for them to express their experiences.
- Interpretivists also argue that the problem is that the results should also reveal how the interviewee sees a situation.
Labov (Rapport, Interviewees View, Unstructured Interviews, Advantages)-
- The informality of unstructured interviews allows the interviewer to develop a relationship of trust with the interviewee, which can put the interviewee more at ease and encourages them to open up.
- When Labov used a formal interview technique to study the language of black American children, he found that they appeared to be tongue-tied and ‘linguistically deprived’.
- However by adopting a more relaxed, informal style (sitting on the floor), it brought up a completely different response- the kids opened up and spoke freely and competently.
- This is also important for sensitive topics, like domestic violence (Dobash and Dobash). The fact there are no set questions is vital as it gives the interviewee more opportunity to speak about things they find important, which helps them to express their views in a way that is flexible, as well as helps to prevent misunderstandings especially when exploring unfamiliar topics.
Eval (Practical Problems, Unstructured Interviews, Disadvantages)-
- Time and sample size can be a problem as being in in-depth explorations can take a long time to undergo, which limits the number that will be carried out and means that the researcher will have a relatively small sample compared with the larger numbers that could be tested using structured interviews.
- This also means that they are less representative as generalisations cannot be made.
- Training also needs to be done which limits the number of available interviewers, whilst potentially increasing the cost.
Rich and Griffin (Status and Power Inequalities, Cultural Differences, Disadvantages)-
Inequalities between interviewer and interviewee may affect the interviewee’s honesty or willingness to answer. The bigger the status difference, the less valid the data is. For example, Rich found that when adults interview children, the child’s need to please the interviewer may affect their answers. Also, gender and ethnic differences can shape interviews, which led Griffin to specifically abandon interviewing in favour of using participant observation. Structured interviews are often seen as more efficient as pre-set questions mean the interviewer needs to follow a standard list, giving them control over the nature of their actions. Cultural differences may also undermine validity, as this may lead to different meanings being given to the same words. The cultural gap also means that interviewers cannot tell when they’re being lied to.
Eval (Nazroo)-
Other researchers have overcome the problem of cultural differences by ensuring that interviewers and interviewees are ethnically and language-matched. The interviews for Nazroo’s survey of the health of Britain’s ethnic minorities were carried out in the language of the interviewee’s choice, which can help improve validity.
Oakley (Interviewer Bias, The Social Desirability Effect, Disadvantages)-
The interviewer may ask ‘leading’ questions, where the wording ‘tells’ the interviewee how to answer. For example, the question ‘wouldn’t you agree that woman should not go out to work when they have young children?’ clearly implies that the answer should be ‘yes’, although this is less prevalent in structured interviews as the interview schedule restricts the wording. The interviewer may also identify too closely with the interviewee. For example, Oakley admits that as a mother she found it hard to remain detached and neutral when interviewing other woman about maternity and childbirth. Not only this, but the interviewee may also produce invalid answers as they may wish to seek approval and so may wish to not appear ignorant or uninteresting.
Eval (Kinsey)-
Attempted to restore validity and prevent lies by asking rapid questions during his 1953 interviews on sexual behaviour, which gave little time to think about answers. This was also double-checked 18 months later.
