qualitative research methods Flashcards
1
Q
Key features of unstructured interviews?
A
- no standardised questions or topics
- interviewer is free to raise new topics, as is the interviewee
- provides rich, detailed qualitative data
- gives insight into the interviewees worldview
2
Q
Practical advantages of unstructured interviews?
A
- rapport
- large amounts of data
- can explain misunderstandings
- flexible
3
Q
Practical issues with unstructured interviews?
A
- harder to train people
- time consuming
4
Q
Theoretical advantages of unstructured interviews?
A
- extrememly valid
- rapport
- Glaser and Strauss – grounded theory — hypothesis should be built from research itself
5
Q
Theoretical issues of unstructured interviews?
A
- not reliable
- each interview is unique
- difficult to identify clear trends
- less likely to be representative
6
Q
What is the feminist view of unstructured interviews?
A
- see them as masculine and positivistic
7
Q
Key features of participant observation?
A
- researcher takes part in the group
- overt
-covert
8
Q
Practical advantages of participant observation?
A
- greater understanding
- flexible
9
Q
Practical issues with participant observation?
A
- access
- time consuming
- training required
10
Q
Theoretical advantages of participant observation?
A
- validity through involvement
- flexible
11
Q
Theoretical issues with participant observation?
A
- lack of representitiveness
- lack of reliability
- bias and lack of objectivity
- lack of validity as it is subjective
12
Q
Ethical issues of participant observation?
A
- can’t get informed consent, deception
- may have to lie to why you are leaving
- may have to participate in illegal activity
13
Q
Key features of documents?
A
- public documents – produced by organisations such as government departments, schools, etc
- personal documents – social media profiles, letters, diaries photo albums, autobiographies
14
Q
Practical advantages of documents?
A
- may be the only source of info for past events
- often free or cheap
- less time consuming
15
Q
Practical issues of documents
A
- not always possible to gain access
- documents are created for the individuals or organisations not the sociological researcher
