Qualitative Research

Question 1

are unstructured interviews a good method

Answer 1

• guided conversation
• carried out in a natural setting where the respondent feels comfortable
• subjects are more likley to open up and be honest
• provides richer and more vivid data which is highly valid
• researcher has to be selective with what data they produce
• difficult to analyse
• fewer participants used
• highly dependent on what people know about their behaviour

Question 2

overt observation

Answer 2

researcher joins the group, but all or some of the group know that they are a researcher there to observe them
involve themselves in the activities of the group
naturalistic because it is carried out in the environment the respondents normally find themselves in anyway
sociologist can empathise with the group
group may act unnaturally because they know they are being observed
take a lot of time and committment, can be dangerous, evidence is too subjective

Question 3

covert observation

Answer 3

researcher inserts themselves into the group, but no one knows that they are doing research
similar to overt observation, but there is a lot of stress trying to cover up tracks and you may not be able to write all notes down because of suspicions.
ethical guidelines - the people dont know they are being observed

Question 4

focus groups

Answer 4

groups of individuals encouraged to talk to each other
more depth of feeling exposed as people sit and talk to one another and begin to open up about their experiences
some in the group may dominate and influence other participants opinions

Question 5

case studies

Answer 5

in depth investigations of a person group event or community
data gathered by a variety of different sources
offer insights not possible with other approaches
easily accessible by non academics
cheap to carry out
not scientific
difficult to draw a definite cause or effect from the case studies