Research Methods #4: Interviews

Question 1

Summary

Answer 1

• In sociological research, there are different types of interviews: structured interviews and unstructured interviews (including group interviews).
• Sociologists sometimes use semi-structured interviews to combine the elements of both.
• Structured interviews are favoured by positivists because they are rich in reliability and representativity, whereas unstructured interviews are favoured by interpretivists because they are rich in validity.

Question 2

What are structured interviews, and who are they favoured by?

Answer 2

• The positivist favoured method of structured interviews involve face-to-face or over-the-phone delivery of a questionnaire.
• In turn, they use a list of pre-set questions designed by the researcher and asked of all interviewees in the same way.

Question 3

What are the advantages of structured interviews?

Answer 3

​ADVANTAGES

• Practical - training interviewers is easy and cheap
• Practical - Cheap and easy to administer
• Representative - can reach a geographically wide research sample
• Results are easily quantifiable because they use closed-ended questions with coded answers
• Reliable - the structured process provides a ‘recipe’ for reproducibility

Question 4

What are the disadvantages of structured interviews?

Answer 4

DISADVANTAGES

• Lack of validity: the use of closed-ended and pre-coded answers may not fit what the interviewee wishes to say
• Lack of validity: People may lie or exaggerate

Question 5

What are unstructured interviews, and who are they favoured by?

Answer 5

• The interpretivist favoured method of unstructured interviews mainly ask open-ended questions that produce qualitative data rich in meaning.
• There is a strong relationship built between the interviewer and the interviewee, which means the data is more likely to be valid.

Question 6

What are the advantages of unstructured interviews?

Answer 6

ADVANTAGES

• Rapport - the informality allows the interviewer to develop a relationship with the interviewee
• Flexibility - the interviewer is not restricted to a fixed set of questions

​- Valid - they are flexible, due to how the conversation is not constrained by fixed questions - people can be more truthful

Question 7

What are the disadvantages of unstructured interviews?

Answer 7

DISADVANTAGES

• Practical - time consuming, due to how unstructured interviews are typically longer, and expensive due to training interviewers in sensitivity
• Unrepresentative - due to small research samples, data obtained is not representative of the wider population
• Unreliable - due to how the questions are open, they cannot be easily repeated by another researcher. Additionally, the respondent’s ability to respond in the way they wish makes it impossible to clarify their responses.

Question 8

What are semi-structured interviews?

Answer 8

• A qualitative method of inquiry that combines a pre-determined set of open questions (questions that prompt discussion) with the opportunity for the interviewer to explore particular themes or responses further.

Question 9

What are the advantages of semi-structured interviews?

Answer 9

ADVANTAGES

• Large amount of detail generated.
• Fairly flexible and sensitive.
• Easier to analyse than unstructured interviews.

Question 10

What are the disadvantages of semi-structured interviews?

Answer 10

DISADVANTAGES

• Can’t guarantee honesty of participants.
• Cause and effect cannot be inferred.
• Flexibility of interview may lessen reliability.
• Open-ended questions are difficult to analyse.
• Difficult to compare answers.