self report; interviews

Question 1

define a structured interview

Answer 1

Interview where the questions are fixed and the interviewer reads them out and records the responses

Question 2

advantages of a structured interview

Answer 2

• The structured nature means that the interview can easily be repeated to increase internal reliability
• Structured interviews can be easily assessed for reliability and improved by removing or changing inconsistent items
• Interviewer doesn’t require as much training as for semi-structured or unstructured interviews

Question 3

disadvantages of a structured interview

Answer 3

• Structured interviews are limited by fixed questions, and lack validity.
• Harder to build rapport with participants, so may not get as much or as high-quality information

Question 4

define semi-structured interviews

Answer 4

Interview that has some predetermined questions, but the interviewer can develop others in response to answers given by the participant

Question 5

advantages of semi-structured interviews

Answer 5

• Enables the researcher to respond more flexibly and so gain more detailed information than from structured interviews
• Answers to the set questions allow for analysis

Question 6

disadvantages of semi-structured interviews

Answer 6

• Difficult to assess for reliability as questions asked can alter, difficult to repeat exactly as questions alter, so may lack internal validity

Question 7

define an unstructured interview

Answer 7

Also known as a clinical interview, there are no fixed questions just general aims and it is more like a conversation

Question 8

advantages of an unstructured interview

Answer 8

• May provide a higher level of rapport, making it easier to gain knowledge from the participant
• Enables the researcher to respond more flexibly and so gain more detailed information than from structured interviews

Question 9

disadvantages of an unstructured interview

Answer 9

• Requires highly trained interviewer to stay on track
• Only some people are willing to participate, so not representative of the population
• Participants may be affected by biases such as social desirability or leading questions
• Greater risk of low internal validity and demand characteristics having more of an effect as difficult to replicate the interview exactly due to different questions each time

Question 10

what are the general pros and cons of interviews

Answer 10

• Can generate quantitative data if questions are closed and qualitative if they are open
• Researcher bias can occur. The expectations of the interviewer may alter the way the respondent answers questions.
• Subjectivity (questions responses can be open to interpretation depending on intonation and body language used and who witnesses them).
• Social desirability bias- Participants’ behaviour is distorted as they modify this in order to be seen in a positive light.