unstructured interviews

Question 1

what is it?

Answer 1

-An interview without any pre-planned questions
-Similar to a convo
-Important to build rapport before starting
-Researcher can clarify any misunderstandings
-Provide qualitative data

Question 2

practical advantages

Answer 2

-Can develop new hypothesis whilst interviewing
-Flexible
-Good for researching groups like criminals who may be sceptical at first

Question 3

practical disadvantages

Answer 3

-time consuming
-interviewers need training
-Some responses= irrelevant

Question 4

ethical +

Answer 4

-Oakley argues this is the most ethical way of research due to the trust that is built
-Right to withdraw, informed consent + anonymity can be secured

Question 5

ethical -

Answer 5

-May feel under pressure to answer questions
-Sensitive topics= ppt may have to relive traumatic experiences
-Guilty knowledge- once comfortable ppt may reveal crimes committed etc

Question 6

theoretical +

Answer 6

-High validity due to rapport built e.g. Oakley befriended ppts
-Confusions with questions can be clarified
-Provides qualitative data, preferred by interpretivist

Question 7

theoretical -

Answer 7

-unreliable as it’s impossible to repeat
-unrepresentative
-Difficulties in analysing data
-Social desirability
-Rejected by positvists

Question 8

examples

Answer 8

Dobash + Dobash
-109 interviews w domestic violence victims: illustrates that rapport is vital for sensitive topics, interviews took 2-12 hrs
Oakley
-66 women before + after pregnancy

Question 9

examples in education

Answer 9

Becker:
-Changed the tone of voice + questions when responding to teachers in interviews
-Took a more aggressive style
-Was able to uncover racist feelings amongst teachers this way by evoking emotions they might’ve kept hidden