RESEARCH METHODS- INTERVIEWS

Question 1

What is a structured (formal) interview?

Answer 1

A structured interview involves a set list of questions read out by the interviewer in the same order to all respondents. The interviewer cannot rephrase or add questions.

Question 2

What is an unstructured (informal) interview?

Answer 2

An unstructured interview is informal and conversational. The interviewer has a topic to discuss but can vary the questions, wording, and order based on the interviewee’s responses.

Question 3

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 3

A semi-structured interview involves a set of pre-decided questions, but the interviewer can ask follow-up questions or rephrase the questions for more detail.

Question 4

What is a group interview?

Answer 4

A group interview involves one interviewer and multiple respondents (usually 8 to 10). Respondents answer questions in turn. A focus group interview encourages group discussion on a topic, and the researcher records the views shared.

Question 5

What are the strengths of structured (formal) interviews?

Answer 5

Structured interviews are easy to train interviewers for, produce quantitative data for easy analysis, and gather data from many people quickly. They also have higher response rates than questionnaires and ensure reliability due to standardisation.

Question 6

What are the limitations of structured (formal) interviews?

Answer 6

Structured interviews have limited insights due to closed-ended questions, and there is a risk of interview bias. They also lack flexibility and can produce invalid data if questions are misunderstood or respondents lie.

Question 7

What is Graham’s criticism of structured interviews?

Answer 7

Graham argues that structured interviews are patriarchal, as the interviewer controls the questions and may limit the interviewee’s ability to express their experiences. This can lead to inaccurate conclusions about gender roles, for example.

Question 8

What are the strengths of unstructured (informal) interviews?

Answer 8

Unstructured interviews establish rapport, making respondents more comfortable and open. They are ideal for sensitive topics and allow the interviewer to rephrase questions or probe for more detail, increasing data validity.

Question 9

What are the limitations of unstructured (informal) interviews?

Answer 9

They take a long time, require skilled interviewers, and can lead to interviewer bias. The data may vary between interviews, making it hard to analyse and compare. It also lacks reliability and can be difficult to quantify.

Question 10

What are the strengths of semi-structured interviews?

Answer 10

Semi-structured interviews allow the researcher to build rapport and probe for more detail. They are less likely to cause interview bias than unstructured interviews and provide more valid data than structured ones.

Question 11

What are the limitations of semi-structured interviews?

Answer 11

Semi-structured interviews are less reliable than structured interviews as they cannot be replicated in the exact same way, which may affect consistency in results.

Question 12

What are the strengths of group interviews and focus groups?

Answer 12

Group interviews can make participants feel comfortable and encourage open discussion. The researcher can observe group dynamics and norms while gathering insights from multiple viewpoints.

Question 13

What are the limitations of group interviews and focus groups?

Answer 13

Some participants may dominate the conversation, preventing others from speaking. Peer group pressure can influence responses, and the researcher must manage the group effectively to ensure relevant discussions.

Question 14

What are the strengths of structured interviews in comparison to unstructured ones?

Answer 14

Structured interviews are quicker, more reliable, and easier to analyse. They allow for easy comparison of answers and can be conducted with minimal interviewer training.

Question 15

What are the limitations of structured interviews compared to unstructured ones?

Answer 15

Structured interviews are rigid and fail to explore deeper insights or diverse experiences, while unstructured interviews allow for flexibility and a more personal approach.

Question 16

What is the main strength of unstructured interviews?

Answer 16

The strength of unstructured interviews is their flexibility and ability to allow respondents to express their views freely, offering deeper insights into the topic.

Question 17

What is the major limitation of unstructured interviews?

Answer 17

Unstructured interviews are time-consuming, making it difficult to interview a large number of people, which can affect the representativeness of the sample.

Question 18

How do semi-structured interviews combine strengths of both structured and unstructured interviews?

Answer 18

Semi-structured interviews offer a balance between structure and flexibility, allowing for standard questions while also enabling probing for further details or clarification.

Question 19

Why are structured interviews reliable?

Answer 19

They are reliable because they are standardised—each interview follows the same set of questions in the same order, ensuring consistency across interviews.

Question 20

What is the role of interviewer rapport in unstructured interviews?

Answer 20

Rapport helps build trust, making respondents more comfortable, especially in sensitive interviews, and encourages openness, leading to more valid data.

Question 21

Why are structured interviews less flexible than unstructured interviews?

Answer 21

Structured interviews follow a rigid set of questions, so the researcher cannot deviate from the schedule to explore unexpected insights, limiting the depth of understanding.

Question 22

What is the impact of interviewer bias in unstructured interviews?

Answer 22

Interviewer bias can influence responses based on the interviewer’s personal characteristics or approach, which affects the reliability and validity of the data collected.