Interviews Flashcards
What are structured interviews?
The interviewer is given strict instructions on how to ask the questions. The interview is conducted in the same standardised way each time
What is an unstructured interview?
Guided conversation. The interviewer has complete freedom to vary the questions, asking whatever is appropriate at the time
What are semi structured interviews?
Each interview has the same set of questions but they can always be probed for more information
What are group interviews?
Dozen or so people interviewed together. Eg Paul Willis did group interviews
What are the practical issues with structured interviews?
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
What is the response rate for structured interviews?
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
Are structured interviews reliable?
Yes, they are easy to standardise and control. All questions are exactly the same
Are structured interviews valid?
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
What do feminists think of questionnaires and structured interviews?
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
Are unstructured interviews valid?
Yes, enables the researcher to get a deeper understanding
Rapport and sensitivity of unstructured interviews?
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
Interviewers view in unstructured interviews?
Allows them to speak about what they think is important. Produces fresh insights and valid data
Understanding in unstructured interviews
Much less misunderstandings because they can check each other’s meanings
What are the practical problems of unstructured interviews?
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
Representativeness and unstructured interviews
Small sample means it is harder to make generalisations
Reliability and unstructured interviews
Not reliable because they are not standardised. Each interview is unique
Quantification and unstructured interviews
Open ended questions means it cannot be precoded and cannot be quantified. Less useful for establishing cause and effect
What is interviewer bias?
The interviewer may ask leading questions where the wording tells the interviewee how to answer
How are interviews artificial?
Still an interview and not a normal conversation. Under these artificial conditions, it is doubtful whether answers are truthful
Cultural differences and interviews?
May undermine validity. Eg misunderstands as a result of different meanings to the same word
What are the practical issues of researching education with interviews?
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
Consent in schools for interviews
Headteacher approval
Parental permission- if it doesn’t help their kids they may not be interested. Depends on the study
The interviewer as ‘teacher in disguise’
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
How do you improve the validity of interviews with pupils?
Use open ended questions Not interrupt Tolerate long pauses Recognise that children are more suggestible Avoid repeating questions
