methods: interviews

Question 1

Define an interview

Answer 1

• a one to one conversational questionnaire in which questions are asked by the interviewer and answered by the interviewee

Question 2

Difference between questionnaire and interview

Answer 2

Researcher must be trained in order to conduct them- must be competent, especially if interviewing vulnerable ppts or about a sensitive topic

Question 3

Features of an interview

Answer 3

• taped or recorded
• verbal content will be transcribed for later analysis ( but reduces likelihood of gaining large samples as time consuming)
• can be either closed or open ended questions
• interviews can gather both qualitative and quantitative data
• multiple different structures of an interview

Question 4

Describe a closed ended question

Answer 4

A question that has predetermined answers, produces quantitative data

Question 5

Describe an open ended

Answer 5

A question that has no set answer and is open to many responses that produces qualitative data

Question 6

Describe a structured interview

Answer 6

• uses fixed, predetermined questions
• closed questions
• used in large scale interview based subverts
• generally produces quantitative data

Question 7

Describe a semi-structured interview

Answer 7

• guidelines about questions to be asked
• phrasing and timing left up to the interviewer
• questions may be open ended
• the structure of the interview may change dependent on the answer the interviewee gives
• questions may be added or missed as the interviewee progresses

Question 8

Describe an unstructured interview

Answer 8

• may contain a topic area for discussion
• no fixed questions
• open ended questions
• researcher asks questions, but then asks further questions which depend on the answers that the ppts give
• qualitative data

Question 9

Strengths and weaknesses of a structured interview

Answer 9

• high generalisability as we can gain a large sample quickly- standardised nature
• high reliability- can easily be replicated, same standardised questions
  *high validity- quant data statistically analysed, minimising researcher bias
• low validity- lack of detail- reduces feelings, thoughts and attitudes into numbers so lose depth and understanding

Question 10

Strengths and weaknesses of an unstructured interview

Answer 10

• low generalisability- takes more time to conduct due to more personal nature of it, so smaller, less representative sample
• low reliability- no standardised nature, can’t replicate
• high validity- more detail due to the open ended questions allowing for more qual data- gaining more of an insight into the attitudes of the respondents
• low validity- qual data subjective, open to researcher bias

Question 11

General interview ao3 points

Answer 11

• low gen- transcription takes a long time, limiting sample size
• leading questions can influence response that the ppts give
  *low validity- interviewer effects the appearance of the interviewer may produce change response given
• low validity- social desirability influences answers