Topic 2: qualitative research methods

Question 1

what are the practical advantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 1

rapport: allows interviewer to develop to relationship of trust useful for sensitive topics such as abuse
meanings: easier to check understanding
flexibility: not restricted to set questions, speak about what they think is important

Question 2

what are the practical disadvantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 2

• cost: interviewer needs training, good interpersonal skills
• time: lengthy and time consuming, no pre coded answers, categorization difficult

Question 3

interpretivists opinions on unstructured interviews (positives)

Answer 3

• validity: see world through the interviewers eyes, close to people experiences
• grounded theory: Glaser and Strauss - build up and modify the hypothesis during the actual research. instructed interviews allows exploration
• freedom: to discuss what is important to them, not forced into boxes

Question 4

positivism opinions on unstructured interviews (negatives)

Answer 4

reliability: not standardised measuring instrument, impossible to replicate
quantification: less useful for testing cause and effect relationships
representativeness: take longer smaller samples. Harder to make valid generalisations
validity: relies on rapport. pleasing a ‘friend’. researcher make value judgements to categorize answers

Question 5

feminist opinions on unstructured interviews (positives)

Answer 5

• Oakley: 178 unstructured interviews with new mums. Attended births, helped with housework, phoned up to help with research. Got closer to women’s experience