Interviews:lesson 7

Question 1

What are the types of interviews?

Answer 1

• Structured: list of formal questions researcher is trained to ask in the same order, tone & wording
• Unstructured: more informal like a guided conversation. Interviewer can vary question order, wording & ask follow up questions
• Semi- structured: list of questions the same but allows follow up questions
• Group: interviewing many people at the same time usually in small groups no larger than 12

Question 2

What are the advantages of structured interviews?

Answer 2

• Large numbers of people can be surveyed (practical)
• Gathers straight forward factual information to be quantified (practical)
• High response rate leads to representative data & increased validity
• Higher response rate, people feel more obligated

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of structured interviews?

Answer 3

Feminists say interviews are patriarchal
- Researchers meanings imposed on women making talking about experiences difficult
- Power dynamic mimics women’s subordination
- Women are seen as isolated from power dynamic which oppresses them

Question 4

What are the advantages of unstructured interviews?

Answer 4

• Chance to build a rapport between researcher & respondent which puts the responds t at ease & increases validity
• Checking understanding, allows follow up questions like ‘ do you know what I mean by that’
• The interviewees perspective: responds t able to speak freely

Question 5

What are the disadvantages of unstructured interviews?

Answer 5

• Time, take longer than other methods & researcher planned which limits number of interviews which can be conducted
• Unreliable, no interview can be replicated
• Unrepresentative, smaller group sizes & sample leads to unrepresentativeness & lack of validity

Question 6

What are the advantages of group interviews?

Answer 6

• Participants more comfortable joining discussion with others than answering one-to-one
• Group discussion stimulates conversation & opens new avenues of discussion, producing more valid data
• Group dynamics can be observed which may lead to more questions
• May produce ideas which can be pursued later

Question 7

What are the disadvantages of group interviews?

Answer 7

• One or two individuals may dominate the discussion, making the data collected invalid or unrepresentative.
• Peer pressure within the group to conform
• Data collected is usually more complex and difficult to analyse
• Researcher may experience difficulties in controlling the group and ensuring they stay on the topic