Topic 5- Interviews

Question 1

what makes an interview semi structured?

Answer 1

there is a set of questions but you are allowed to probe for more information

Question 1

name the 4 types of interview

Answer 1

• structured
• semi structured
• instructured
• group interviews

Question 2

what are 3 strengths of group interviews?

Answer 2

• participants will feel more comfortable in a group so will open up
• in a discussion people throw ideas around the group stimulating others’ thinking
• can observe how the group acts as well as asking them questions

Question 3

what are 2 practical issues of structured interviews?

Answer 3

• training interviewers is expensive
• cannot reach as many people as questionnaires can

Question 4

how are structured interviews seen as reliable?

Answer 4

• easy to standardise and control them so can be repeated
• interview gets conducted in the same way so a procedure can be made

Question 5

comment on response rate in structured interviews

Answer 5

• generally high response rate as they are approached in person
• can make call backs but costly
• those who respond may be a particular group so less representative

Question 6

how do structured interviews carry less validity?

Answer 6

• closed ended questions that only have certain answers- interviewee cant say what they want to so less valid
• little freedom to explain misunderstanding so have to move on

Question 7

how are structured interviews inflexible?

Answer 7

• questions are made in advance
• cannot ask to expand on any questions

Question 8

what are 3 feminist criticisms of structured interviews?

Answer 8

• researcher is in control and interviewee will feel threatened
• survey methods treat women as isolated individuals
• difficult to express actual opinions

Question 9

why is rapport and sensitivity an advantage in structured interviews?

Answer 9

• informality allows a relationship to be made
• empathy and comfortability of person from an interviewer can make the interviewee at ease and more likely to speak more

Question 10

how do unstructured interviews allow you to see the interviewees view?

Answer 10

• no set questions so they can expand
• freedom to talk

Question 11

why is checking understanding an advantage in unstructured interviews?

Answer 11

• can clarify to understand
• ask follow up questions
• more valid

Question 12

why are unstructured interviews useful when researching unfamiliar topics?

Answer 12

• open ended so can explore more
• no need to have a knowledge before so interview is a starting point

Question 13

what are 3 practical problems of unstructured interviews?

Answer 13

• takes alot of time with a smaller sample size
• need to train interviewers to ask appropriate questions
• need god interpersonal skills to establish a rapport

Question 14

why are unstructured interviews less representative?

Answer 14

• smaller sample size due to time it takes for one interview

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Question 15

why are unstructured interviews less reliable?

Answer 15

• no standardised
• every interview is unique
• hard to replicate again

Question 16

comment on quantification in regards to unstructured interviews

Answer 16

• hard to quantify qualitative answers
• cant establish cause and affect relationships

Question 17

how can interviewer bias affect an interview?

Answer 17

• the way an interviewer asks a question can influence their answer
• if the researcher is attached to the topic it may influence their reaction/response to answers

Question 18

how is an unstructured interview artificial?

Answer 18

• both parties know it is an interview despite how relaxed it felt
• unable to know whether the answers are actually truthful

Question 19

how do status and power inequalities affect an interview?

Answer 19

• the fact the interviewer has more power can affect the interviewees’ willingness to answer
• gender differences can have the same affect

Question 20

explain how cultural differences can affect interviews

Answer 20

• can lead to misunderstandings in a question
• misleading can occur with a language barrier

Question 21

explain the social desirability effect

Answer 21

• people will give answers they think they will get the most approval from
• if they dont know an answer they won’t say idk they are more likely to make up an answer