interviews Flashcards
what is a structured interview?
where the researcher asks the same predetermined questions to every one in the same order
what is an open question?
where people can answer truthfully and in depth
what is a closed question?
where the answer is from a set multiple choice or yes/ no question
what is a standardised question
where everyone is given the same questions
what is an interview schedule?
a list of pre set questions written before the interview
what is social desirebility?
where poeple answer questions in a socially acceptable way
what are reseracher characteristics?
where the researcher and particepant share similar characteristics that may affect the answers given/ interpreted.
why do positivists prefer this method?
- the data is reliable
- the data is objective
- the data can be quantified
- you can find patterns and trends
why do interpretivists not favour this method?
- that data is less valid
- there is less oppurtunity for verstehen
- unable to gain depth
what are three strengths of structured interviews?
- easy to analyse; standardised Qs
- relitively quick to conduct
- large sample size as quicker to conduct than unstructured interviews
what are three weaknesses of structured interviews?
- lack of rapport
- lack of verstehen
- bad for sensitive issues
what are four strengths of group interviews?
- can observe interviewee interactions
- less costly and time consuming
- can give informed consent
- large sample size
what are two weaknesses of group interviews?
- interviewer needs personal skills
- social desireability is likely to occur
what are two strengths of semi-structured interviews?
- combines the strengths of structured and unstructured interviews
- allows to obtain quan and qual data which are both reliable and valid
what are two weaknesses of semi-structured interviews?
- researcher will need personal skills
- researcher will need to be skilles in positivist and interpretivist methodology
example study of a structured interview
willmot and young:
sample of 933 people
on family structure in east london
what is an unstructured interview?
without pre-planned Qs
what is rapport?
trust between particepant and interviewer
what is interviewer bias?
where an interviwer inflicts bias onto the interview peocess
what is verstehen?
empathy
which methodology prefers this, two reasons why?
interpretivists:
1. you can build a rapport
2. you can gain in depth and valid data
which methodology prefers structured interviews, three reasons why they dont like unstructured?
positivists:
1. small sample size: unrepresentative
2. time consuming
3. cant be generalised
two example studies using unstructured interviews
- Ann oakley - maternity
- dobash and dobash - domestic violence
what are three strengths of unstructured interviews?
- the data is qualitative
- the data is valid
- due to nature of the method it is appropriate for sensitive topics
