Un/structured Interviews

Question 1

(Unstructured) practical advantage

Answer 1

Informality allows for a rapport to build which often results in more data collection

Question 2

(Unstructured) practical disadvantage

Answer 2

Timeconsuming which limits the sample size (unrepresentative)

Question 3

(Unstructured) ethical advantage

Answer 3

Building a rapport may reduce risk of upsetting participants

Question 4

(Unstructured) ethical disadvantage

Answer 4

The researcher may ask questions that the participant may find uncomfortable

Question 5

(Unstructured) theoretical advantage -include sociologist

Answer 5

Stauss: only way to collect valid data as it allows researcher to come close to understanding peoples’ experiences

Question 6

(Unstructured) theoretical disadvantage

Answer 6

Positivists: not reliable because there is no standards measuring instrument

Question 7

(Structured) practicial advantage and example

Answer 7

Covers a large no. people in a very easy/cheap way

e.g. W+Y collected data on 933 people

Question 8

(Structured) practical disadvantage

Answer 8

Inflexible because researchers must stick to questions. Means that researcher cannot pursue any leads

Question 9

(Structured) ethical advantage

Answer 9

Since questions are predetermined, participants can be warned if the interview may cover sensitive topics

Question 10

(Structured) ethical disadvantage (Feminist Reinharz)

Answer 10

Describes this method as ‘rape’ as the relationship between researcher and participant is inherently exploitative and reflects the patriarchy

Question 11

(Structured) theoretical advantage

Answer 11

Positivists: Achieves goals of scientific sociology because they are a reliable, objective method of producing quantitative data

Question 12

(Structured) theoretical disadvantage

Answer 12

Interpretivists: produces a false picture because researchers must choose between a set of predetermined answers