Theory and Methods Topic 4 - interviews

Question 1

Structured/formal interviews

Answer 1

Interviewer has strict instructions, the interview is conducted in the same way each time, same questions in the same order in the same tone of voice. Both close-ended and coded questions are used.
- Numerical, quantitative data favoured by positivists
- e.g. job interviews

Question 2

Semi-structured interviews

Answer 2

In between the two other types of interviews, mixture of pre-set and freestyled questions
- Mixture of data which is favoured by interpretivists

Question 3

Unstructured/informal interviews

Answer 3

‘Discovery interviews’, more like a guided conversation. The interviewer has the freedom to vary questions, their wordings and order of asking follow up questions
- Qualitative data favoured by interpretivists

Question 4

Group interviews (one theorist)

Answer 4

A number of people being interviewed together, can also include focus groups to discuss certain topics and record their views. Allows for people to bounce their ideas off of each other, which can also lead to Hawthorne Effect.
- Willis (1977) used group interviews for his research involving ‘lads’ and schooling

Question 5

Practical advantages of structured interviews (2)

Answer 5

1. Fairly quick and cheap - can cover quite large numbers of people, training interviewers is straightforward and inexpensive
2. Results are easily quantified - closed ended questions are used with coded answers meaning hypotheses can be tested

Question 6

Ethical advantages of structured interviews (2)

Answer 6

1. Detachment - the structure of the interview allows for detachment from the interviewee that means there won’t be as impacted by ethical issues
2. Pre-determined set questions - you can decide the wordings of the questions and what order to ask them in, therefore reducing the risk of asking imposing/upsetting questions

Question 7

Theoretical advantages of structured interviews (3)

Answer 7

1. Response rate - fairly quick to carry out therefore data can be collected from a large number of respondents which makes results more representative
2. Reliability - data collected is seen to be reliable as all questions are asked in the same way and the same questions are answered so research can be compared and replicated
3. Positivist validity - usually pre-coded, closed questions and answers so data is measurable and quantitative therefore achieving positivist validity

Question 8

Practical disadvantages of structured interviews (2)

Answer 8

1. Inflexible - questions have to be drawn up in advance which means researchers are unable to follow any interesting leads which may arise.
2. Cost - whilst structured interviews are fairly cheap, they are still more costly than simply posting/emailing a questionnaire out

Question 9

Ethical disadvantage of structured interviews

Answer 9

1. Not suitable for discussing highly personal or sensitive issues as there is no opportunity to establish a rapport between interviewer and interviewee
   - interviewees may feel as though they have to answer the questions

Question 10

Theoretical disadvantages of structured interviews (2)

Answer 10

1. Response rate - those who choose to participate may be those with more time on their hands, therefore creating unrepresentative data
2. Validity - there is little freedom to explain questions/answers further, meaning people can misunderstand the question, affecting validity

Question 11

Feminist criticisms of structured interviews (one theorist)

Answer 11

Graham (1983) argues that structured interviews are patriarchal and give a distorted view of women’s experiences.
- this is because the researcher is in control of the situation and decides the line of questioning to be followed. This mirrors women’s subordination in wider society

Question 12

Practical advantages of unstructured interviews (2)

Answer 12

1. Flexibility - unstructured interviews are highly flexible therefore data produced is more valid. There is more opportunity to probe deeper into areas of interests and explore new, unfamiliar topics.
2. Exploring unfamiliar topics - unstructured interviews can be more useful where the interviewer is not sure of the subject at the start of the research process as they’re open ended and exploratory questions

Question 13

Ethical advantage of unstructured interviews

Answer 13

1. Rapport and sensitivity - the interviewer can develop a rapport with the interviewee, put them at ease and encourage them to open up

Question 14

Labov (1973)

Answer 14

Used formal interviews to study the language of black American children and found they appeared to be tongue tied and ‘linguistically deprived’. However when he adopted a more relaxed, informal style the children opened up

Question 15

Theoretical advantages of unstructured interviews (3)

Answer 15

1. The interviewers view - as there are no set questions, the interviewee has more opportunity to speak about things they feel are important, produces fresh insights and valid data
2. Checking understanding - allows for the interviewer and interviewee to check meanings
3. Flexible - unstructured interviews are highly flexible and therefore data produced is more valid, there is opportunity to probe deeper into areas of interest and explore new topics