Interviews

Question 1

What are structured interviews?

Answer 1

The interviewer is given strict instructions on how to ask the questions. The interview is conducted in the same standardised way each time

Question 2

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 2

Guided conversation. The interviewer has complete freedom to vary the questions, asking whatever is appropriate at the time

Question 3

What are semi structured interviews?

Answer 3

Each interview has the same set of questions but they can always be probed for more information

Question 4

What are group interviews?

Answer 4

Dozen or so people interviewed together. Eg Paul Willis did group interviews

Question 5

What are the practical issues with structured interviews?

Answer 5

Training interviewers is easy but it is more expensive than a postal questionnaire
Cannot match the huge numbers a questionnaire can go out to
The end results are quantifiable and can be matched to a hypothesis

Question 6

What is the response rate for structured interviews?

Answer 6

Although the amount that can be studied is less, the response rate is high. People find it harder to turn down a face to face request. Like questionnaires, those with the time a willingness to help may be untypical which made it unrepresentative and invalid

Question 7

Are structured interviews reliable?

Answer 7

Yes, they are easy to standardise and control. All questions are exactly the same

Question 8

Are structured interviews valid?

Answer 8

The answers are restricted because of close ended questions so a person may not be able to say what they want
Very little freedom to explain a question or clarify misunderstandings
People may lie or exaggerate- false data
Questions are already decided so they might not reflect the interviewees concerns and priorities

Question 9

What do feminists think of questionnaires and structured interviews?

Answer 9

Patriarchal, giving a distorted and invalid picture of women’s experiences
The interviewer in control of the interviewee reflects subordination in society
Survey methods treat women as isolated individuals without looking at power relationships which oppress them
Difficult to express their experiences of oppression when the surveys are imposed by the interviewee

Question 10

Are unstructured interviews valid?

Answer 10

Yes, enables the researcher to get a deeper understanding

Question 11

Rapport and sensitivity of unstructured interviews?

Answer 11

The informality allows a rapport to develop. Puts the interviewee at ease and they will open up more. Particularly useful when studying sensitive issues. =valid

Question 12

Interviewers view in unstructured interviews?

Answer 12

Allows them to speak about what they think is important. Produces fresh insights and valid data

Question 13

Understanding in unstructured interviews

Answer 13

Much less misunderstandings because they can check each other’s meanings

Question 14

What are the practical problems of unstructured interviews?

Answer 14

Time and sample size- small sample size because it takes a long time to do each interview
Training- they need to have a background in sociology so they can see what is important and probe further. Adds to cost
Interpersonal skills- Need to be able to build a rapport with good interpersonal skills

Question 15

Representativeness and unstructured interviews

Answer 15

Small sample means it is harder to make generalisations

Question 16

Reliability and unstructured interviews

Answer 16

Not reliable because they are not standardised. Each interview is unique

Question 17

Quantification and unstructured interviews

Answer 17

Open ended questions means it cannot be precoded and cannot be quantified. Less useful for establishing cause and effect

Question 18

What is interviewer bias?

Answer 18

The interviewer may ask leading questions where the wording tells the interviewee how to answer

Question 19

How are interviews artificial?

Answer 19

Still an interview and not a normal conversation. Under these artificial conditions, it is doubtful whether answers are truthful

Question 20

Cultural differences and interviews?

Answer 20

May undermine validity. Eg misunderstands as a result of different meanings to the same word

Question 21

What are the practical issues of researching education with interviews?

Answer 21

Young interviewers are-
Less articulate and more reluctant to talk
Misunderstandings
Limited vocabulary so use words incorrectly
Shorter attention span and memory retrieval
Read body language differently
=undermines validity
Grapevine may influence the responses given by children who have already discussed it
They may be uncomfortable on school premises
Time constraints for teachers means long interviews are difficult

Question 22

Consent in schools for interviews

Answer 22

Headteacher approval

Parental permission- if it doesn’t help their kids they may not be interested. Depends on the study

Question 23

The interviewer as ‘teacher in disguise’

Answer 23

Power statuses- if the interviewer has more power the interviewee might be more likely to lie and be less confident - reducing validity 
Students may seek to win teachers approval by lying 
Working class might feel interviewer has higher status and so feels there are intrusive and patronising

Question 24

How do you improve the validity of interviews with pupils?

Answer 24

Use open ended questions 
Not interrupt 
Tolerate long pauses 
Recognise that children are more suggestible 
Avoid repeating questions

Question 25

Group interviews with pupils

Answer 25

Influenced by peers- invalid
Impossible to standardise
Less power imbalance and safe environment
Reveals interactions between pupils