Research Methods: Interviews Flashcards
(22 cards)
What is a structured interview
-A type of interview where all candidates are asked the same predetermined questions in the same order and evaluated using a standardized system.
-They contain closed questions so largely contain quantitative data.
What type of questions do structured interviews produce and what type of data does this produce
-Typically contain closed questions, and so largely produce quantitative data. (Which is easier to analyse)
What is an unstructured interview
-A type of interview where questions are not pre-determined or arranged. The interviewer allows the conversation to flow naturally, asking questions as they come to mind, similar to a casual conversation.
-Typically open questions so produces lots of rich detailed qualitative data. Rapport is established.
What type of questions do unstructured interviews typically contain and what type of data do they largely produce
Usually ask lots of open questions and so produce lots of rich in detail qualitative data.
What is a semi structured interview
Mix of unstructured and structured (closed and open questions)
What is a group interview
Interviewers interview several people at the same time (this could be as part of a focus group)
Examples of researchers who used interviews in sociology
-Wilmott and Young- used structured interview when researching the extended family in the 1960s. The interviews were formal and standardised, the questions precise with a limited range of alternative answers on straightforward topics. E.G peoples age,religion, gender etc
-Dobashand Dobash -unstructured
-WIlis’s ‘learning to labour study’- he used group interviews for his sample of ‘lads’ in education
What type of data does group interviews tend to produce
Qualitative data. Data is often expressed in the words of the children.
What is a focus group
A variation within t he group interview
Practical advantages of the structured interview
-Training interviewers is straightforward a dn inexpensive as they only have to follow instructions and read the pre set questions to he researcher.This also means that they are cheaper than unstructured interviews.
-Have a high response rate (compared to questionnaires)- People find it harder to turn down a face to face request
-Pre-set questions mean interviews are short, allowing researchers to gather data from many participants.
-They are good for collecting straightforward factual information such as gender, age and occupation.
Practical disadvantages of the structured interview
-More costly than simply posting/ emailing questionnaires.
-They cannot cover or reach the same potential numbers of participants that postal questionnaires could.
-Inflexible as the questions are pre-set. The researcher has decided what is important, high may not coincide with what the interviewee may think as important and so interviewers cannot explore new or unexpected topics that arise during the conversation.
-Closed questions may not capture the full complexity of the respondent’s views.
-May Miss Rapport-Lack of personalisation can lead to less trust or openness from participants.
-Volunteer Bias-May attract a specific type of person (e.g., more confident or helpful individuals), making the data unrepresentative and reducing the validity and generalisability of findings.
Ethical advantages of the structured interview
-Informed Consent-It’s easy to explain the purpose of the study and what participants can expect due to the standardised format.
-Confidentiality Is Easier to Maintain-Structured interviews often deal with less sensitive topics, and answers are more predictable, making data protection simpler.
-Lower Risk of Psychological Harm-The formal and non-intrusive nature of structured interviews means participants are less likely to feel uncomfortable or distressed.
-Right to Withdraw Can Be Clearly Communicated-The clear structure allows interviewers to remind participants of their rights, including the right to withdraw at any time.
-Less Chance of Researcher Bias or Pressure-Standardised questions reduce the opportunity for the interviewer to influence the participant’s answers.
Ethical disadvantages of the structured interview
-Limited Opportunity to Build Rapport-The formal structure can make it harder to establish trust, which may discourage honest or open responses—especially on sensitive topics.
-Lack of Flexibility May Limit Sensitivity-If a participant becomes upset, the interviewer has little room to adjust or explore the issue sensitively.
-Participants May Feel Restricted-Respondents may feel frustrated if they want to explain more but are only given closed or limited questions.
-Deception (if not fully transparent)-If the research aims are not clearly explained, participants may not fully understand what they are consenting to—even if consent was formally given.
Theoretical advantages of the structured interview
-High Reliability-The standardised format means the interview can be repeated by other researchers, producing consistent results. Standardisation means they can be repeated.
-Easy to Quantify-closed questions generate quantitative data, which is suitable for statistical analysis and comparisons.
-Objectivity-Structured interviews reduce researcher influence and bias, increasing the objectivity of the data collected.
-Supports Positivist Approach-Favoured by positivists, who value scientific, measurable, and generalisable data. Produces large numbers of quantitative data which is easier to analyse.
-Comparability-Responses are uniform across participants, making it easier to compare patterns or trends across groups.
Theoretical disadvantages of the structured interview
-Low Validity-The fixed, closed-ended questions may not reflect the participant’s true thoughts or experiences. Can restrict the respondents answers and gives them little freedom to explain their answers and clarify any misunderstandings.
-Lack of Depth and Insight- Answers tend to be superficial, offering little understanding of the meaning behind behaviours or attitudes.
-Ignores Participant’s Meanings -don’t allow respondents to express their own interpretation of events or ideas, which is crucial for interpretivists.
-Not Suitable for Exploring Complex Issues-The rigid format isn’t flexible enough to explore nuanced or sensitive topics in detail.
-May Misrepresent Reality-By forcing respondents to choose from limited options, the data may oversimplify or distort real social experiences.
Practical advantages of the unstructured interview
-Allows Flexibility-Interviewers can explore unexpected topics and follow up on interesting answers in real time.
-Builds Rapport-Informal style helps establish trust, especially useful when researching sensitive topics or vulnerable groups. Encourages the interviewee to open up and share more detail.
-Useful for Exploring Complex Issues-Participants can express themselves freely, helping researchers understand deeper meanings and context.
-Greater Insight into Participants’ Views-Open-ended questions produce rich, detailed qualitative data that helps uncover attitudes, beliefs, and motives.
-Effective for Studying Hard-to-Reach Groups-Rapport and flexibility make them suitable for gaining access to groups who may distrust formal research methods (e.g. gang members, the homeless).
Practical disadvantages of the unstructured interview
-Time-Consuming-Interviews are longer and take more time to conduct and analyse, limiting the number of participants.
-Expensive-Requires skilled, trained interviewers and more resources for transcription and analysis.
-Harder to Analyse-Open-ended answers produce qualitative data, which is more difficult to categorise, compare, and quantify.
-Interviewer Bias-The lack of standardisation means the interviewer’s tone, wording, or reactions may influence the responses.
-Smaller Sample Sizes-Due to time and cost, fewer people are usually interviewed, making findings less representative.
Ethical advantages of the unstructured interview
-Builds Rapport and Trust-The informal, conversational style helps participants feel more comfortable and respected, especially with sensitive topics. This allows the researcher to gain verschtehen
-Participant-Led Conversations-Interviewees have more control over what they share, which supports autonomy and reduces pressure.
-Greater Sensitivity-Interviewers can respond with empathy and adapt questions if a participant becomes upset or emotional.
-More Respectful of Individual Experiences-Allows participants to tell their story in their own words, which can feel empowering and validating.
Ethical disadvantages of the unstructured interview
-Risk of Psychological Harm-In-depth questioning can lead to emotional distress, especially if sensitive or traumatic topics are discussed.
-Harder to Maintain Confidentiality-Rich, detailed answers may include personal or identifiable information that’s difficult to anonymise.
-Power Imbalance-The flexible format gives interviewers more control, which could unintentionally pressure participants to share more than they’re comfortable with.
-Informed Consent May Be Incomplete-Since the conversation can go in unexpected directions, it’s harder to fully inform participants about what they’ll be asked in advance.
-Difficult to Debrief Fully-Because of the personal and varied nature of responses, follow-up support or debriefing may be more complex and necessary.
Theoretical advantages of the unstructured interview
-High Validity-Provides rich, detailed data that captures participants’ true meanings and perspectives.
-Favoured by Interpretivists-Emphasises understanding social reality from the participant’s point of view.
-Flexibility Allows Exploration of Complex Issues-Enables deeper insight into attitudes, beliefs, and motivations.
-Captures Nuance and Context-Helps understand how social actions are shaped by context and individual interpretation.
-Encourages Participant Voice-Participants can shape the conversation, giving them more control over their representation.
Theoretical disadvantages of the unstructured interview
-Low Reliability-Each interview is different, so it’s difficult to replicate and produce consistent results.
-Hard to Compare or Generalise-Responses vary widely, making it hard to identify patterns or draw general conclusions.
-Difficult to Quantify-Qualitative data is harder to code and analyse statistically, limiting its use in large-scale research.
-Potential for Researcher Bias-The interviewer’s tone, reactions, or interpretation can influence responses and distort findings.
-Less Scientific-Lacks the objectivity and control valued by positivists, who may question its usefulness in producing ‘hard’ data.
What does PET stand for (evaluation)
-Practical
-Ethical
-Theoretical
