Interviews

Question 1

what are structured/ formal interviews?

Answer 1

similar to questionnaires

strict instructions

conducted in same way

Question 2

what are unstructured interviews?

Answer 2

like a guided conversation

freedom to vary questions/ask follow ups

Question 3

what are semi structured interviews?

Answer 3

in between

have structure but may ask follow up

Question 4

what are group/ focus interviews?

Answer 4

no. people interviewed together

focus groups- talk about certain topics

Question 5

Paul Willis - group interview

Answer 5

used it for research into ‘lads’ and schooling

Question 6

practical advantages of structured interviews

Answer 6

quick and cheap

results easily quantified

Question 7

ethical advantages of structured interviews

Answer 7

detachment

pre determined questions

Question 8

theoretical advantages of structured interviews

Answer 8

higher response rate

reliability

Question 9

Young and Willmott

theoretical advantage

Answer 9

approached 987 people to take part in study and only 54 refused

Question 10

practical disadvantages of structured interviews

Answer 10

inflexible

more costly than others e.g posting out a questionnaire

Question 11

ethical disadvantages of structured interviews

Answer 11

not suitable for personal topics

may feel they have to answer

Question 12

theoretical disadvantages of structured interviews

Answer 12

response rate (those who participate have more time)

validity

Question 13

Graham - feminist criticism of structured interviews

Answer 13

researcher in charge which is similar to patriarchy

need more equal relationship

Question 14

practical advantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 14

flexibility

exploring unfamiliar topics

Question 15

ethical advantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 15

rapport and sensitivity

Question 16

Dobash and Dobash - ethical strength of unstructured interviews

Answer 16

used it for domestic violence research to make participants comfortable

Question 17

Labov - ethical strength of unstructured interviews

Answer 17

black American children tongue twisted when using structured interview but more relaxed in unstructured

Question 18

theoretical advantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 18

interviewers views included

checking understanding

Question 19

practical disadvantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 19

time and cost

training

interpersonal skills

Question 20

ethical disadvantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 20

harm

interpersonal relationships

Question 21

theoretical disadvantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 21

representativeness

reliability

quantification

Question 22

practical advantages of group/focus interviews

Answer 22

good way to get initial ideas looked into after

combining questions with observing group dynamic

Question 23

ethical advantages of group/focus interviews

Answer 23

more comfortable among peers so open up more

Question 24

theoretical advantages of group/focus interviews

Answer 24

throw ideas around stimulating others ideas increases validity

Question 25

practical disadvantages of group/focus interviews

Answer 25

some could dominate the discussion depends on researcher to keep all focused data recorded difficult to analyse

Question 26

ethical disadvantages of group/focus interviews

Answer 26

some may not want to open ip in front of others about sensitive topics

Question 27

theoretical disadvantages of group/focus interviews

Answer 27

peer group pressure can impact validity

Question 28

interviews as social interactions:

Answer 28

can influence validity participants may respond to situation they’re in not the questions

Question 29

problems of social interactions (6 points)

Answer 29

interviewer bias artificiality status and power inequalities cultural differences social desirability effect ethical issues

Question 30

Oakley - interviewer bias

Answer 30

when researching motherhood, as a mother herself, she found it hard to detach herself

Question 31

Rich - status and power inequalities

Answer 31

found when adults interview children a childs need to please the interviewer affects their responses in a similar way gender and ethnicity can affect it

Question 32

techniques researchers use to increase validity

Answer 32

ask fast paced questions to prevent lying matching characteristics between interviewer and respondents playing dumb to the repsondent