P1 Research Methods - Unstructured Interviews Flashcards
What is an unstructured interview?
In an unstructured interview, the interviewer has complete freedom to vary the interview.
These can also be called “discovery interviews” and are often like a guided conversation
Follow up questions can also be asked to probe more deeply
Why do positivists favour structured interviews?
Because they achieve reliability, generalisability and representativeness. Quantitative data and large scale
Why do interpretevists prefer unstructured interviews?
Because they achieve validity. Qualitative data and individual insights
How does the social interaction between interviewer and interviewee affect the interview?
The danger is the interviewee may not be responding to the questions but the social situation in which they are asked.
This can affect the validity of a piece of research in many ways:
1. Interviewer bias
2. Artificially
3. Status and power inequalities
4. Cultural differences
5. Social desirability effect
6. Ethical Issues
How does interviewer bias affect validity?
The interviewer may ask leading questions (“wouldn’t you agree…”).
An interviewers facial expression, body language or tone of voice may also affect the response
What does Ann Oakley argue about interviewer bias?
She argues that the interviewer can identify too closely with the interviewees.
She admits that as a mother she found it difficult to remain detached and neutral when interviewing women and childbirth
How does the artificiality of the interview affect the validity?
Even the most relaxed of unstructured interviews is still an artificial environment and not a normal conversation. Both parties know this.
This means it is doubtful whether truthful answers can be obtained
How does status and power inequalities affect validity?
Inequalities between the interviewer and interviewee may affect the honesty or willingness to answer - the bigger the status difference the less valid the data.
What does Josephine Rich argue about status and power inequalities?
When adults interview children, the child’s need to please the interviewer will affect the answers.
Gender and ethnic inequalities may make interviewing difficult.
How do cultural differences affect validity?
These can undermine validity. There may be understanding as a result of different meanings being given to the same words
The cultural gap may also mean that interviewers cannot tell when they are being lied to (Margaret Mead)
How does the social desirability effect validity?
In social interactions people actually seek to win approval, this may mean that they give answers to present them in the most favourable light.
They also don’t want to appear ignorant or uninteresting so instead of saying they don’t know or they don’t understand the question they offer any answer rather than none.
How do ethical issues affect validity?
- There are relatively few ethical problems with interviews
BUT
because it is a social interaction the interviewee may feel under pressure to answer in a particular way. - Researchers should gain informed consent, guarantee anonymity and make it clear that they have a right not to answer.
How does Alfred Kinsey help improve the validity of interviews?
He did interviews on sexual behaviour - asked questions rapidly giving little time to think.
Then did a follow up interview 18 months later
