Structured Interviews

Question 1

What are some specific advantages and disadvantages of structured interviews?

Answer 1

:) the interviewer can explain the research, clarify instructions and get informed consent
:) they are standardised - same for each interviewee
:( can’t change questions or add any new ones
:( danger of interviewer bias - interviewer conducts the interview with subjectivity

Question 2

Who did a study using structured interviews?

Answer 2

Willmott and Young

Question 3

What did Willmott and Young do?

Answer 3

1970s - carried out structured interviews in London asking couples about DDOL

Question 4

What did Willmott and Young find?

Answer 4

Claimed that there was greater equality between men and women

Question 5

What is one good and bad point about Willmott and Young’s study?

Answer 5

:( Couples may lie - social desirability

:) Easy access to couples. Easy to analyse

Question 6

Who did an education example using structured interviews?

Answer 6

Bell - 1981

Question 7

What did Bell conclude?

Answer 7

That pupils see interviewers as teachers in disguise which effects the validity of the data

Question 8

What is a good and bad point about Bell’s study?

Answer 8

:) Shows how interviewers like teachers have power over pupils
:( Structured interviews may be the only available or ethical method