Research Methods- Interviews

Question 1

What is a structured interview?

Answer 1

Simple pre- prepared questions. Standardised procedure, easy to analyse data.

Question 2

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 2

Far less rigid, begin with one or two predecided questions with further questions decided based on previous responses. interviewer must be highly skilled.

Question 3

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 3

Often most successful approach with some prepared questions but allowing interviewee to expand on the answers. prompts can be used.

Question 4

What are 2 strengths of interviews?

Answer 4

Data from un/ semi-structured interviews tends to be more rich and varied- ecologically valid.
More ethical to discuss sensitive topics face to face

Question 5

What are 2 weaknesses of interviews?

Answer 5

Success dependent on interviewers skill
Interviewers effects e.g age/gender affecting interviewee comfort and openness