Semi-Structured Interviews (20)

Question 1

Interviews

Answer 1

A series of questions put by a researcher to a respondent
Primary Research Collection
Qualitative and Quantitative Data collection through the use of different approaches and questions

Question 2

Semi-Structured Interviews

Answer 2

Involve a common set of Qs but interviewer can develop or expand as they have a freedom to probe for more information according to the answers given
So if interesting can get more information even though there is a set of questions
Elaboration if needed
Qual or Quant
Reliability and Validity
Rapport

Question 3

Reliability of SS Interviews

Answer 3

Questionable.
Some need more probing than others so there is a deviation from the standardised procedure which impacts validity. Not comparable as interviewees are asking different Qs
Core Qs are replicable
Qual collected but also Quant
The depth of Qualitative information may be is hard to change. Narrow conclusions that can’t be tested

Question 4

Representativeness of SS Interviews

Answer 4

Personal nature of each interview and deferring from the standardised procedure makes it hard to generalise to wider populations as Qs are unique
But a mix of structured and unstructured

Question 5

Representativeness of SS Interviews Example (Jackson)

Answer 5

Jackson investigated Gender and Fear and Failure. Used SS interviews on 153 pupils for 30 minutes, both male and female.
The range of Genders and Ethnicities included but still only represents the views of specific Northern Culture and no other areas of England or other schools

Question 6

Validity of SS Interviews

Answer 6

Potential for lying on all Qs intentional or not
Provides a depth of information through the use of open-ended questions as can talk freely with responses. Closed Qs don’t apply. Can be recorded and analysed later.
Can find out the meaning.
Positive Rapport between interviewer and interviewee. Simple, Efficient and Practical way of gathering data.
Complex Qs can be clarified

Question 7

Validity Example (Archer)

Answer 7

Archer: SS interview Schedule. Muslim boys and Education in the context of race, masculinity and schooling.
Boys talked about racism with Asain interviewer but Archer’s whiteness silenced them.
-Interviewer effect and how hidden cues unconsciously signal the answer the Interviewer wants, effects Validity as not true

Question 8

Practical Issues of SS Interviews

Answer 8

Audio/Video Recording to analyse later with open Qs
Dependent on the skill of interviewer and the ability to build rapport
Cost of Travel
Time to conduct a representative sample of people

Question 9

Theoretical

Answer 9

It’s a combination of Positivists and Intereptivists

Question 10

Conclusion

Answer 10

Observation is a better alternative for combing methods as it avoids DCs and encourages natural behaviour.

Question 11

Sharpe (Just like a Girl)

Answer 11

Interviews conducted by Sue Sharp show how girls’ attitudes to education and priorities in work and marriage changed.
In ‘Just Like A Girl‘, 1976, they were ‘love, marriage, husbands and career, more or less in that order. However by 1996 they’d switched to ‘job, career and being able to support themselves’ making girls:more confident/more assertive/more ambitious
more committed to gender equality. Sharpe found the girls’ saw education as being the main route to a career, financial independence and the subsequent security that came with it.