Research Methods- Topic 5 (Paper1)

Question 1

Structured or formal interviews.

Answer 1

They are very similar to a questionnaire: the interviewer is given strict instructions on how to ask the questions.

Question 2

Unstructured or informal interviews.

Answer 2

They are like a guided conversation.
The interviewer has complete freedom to vary questions, their wording, order etc.

Question 3

Semi-structured interviews.

Answer 3

Lie in between these 2 extremes. Each interview has the same set of questions in common but the interviewer can also prove for more information. 

Question 4

Group interviews.

Answer 4

Most interviews are one-to-one but some are group interviews, with up to a dozen or so people being interviewed together.

Question 5

Strengths of structured interview.

Answer 5

Straightforward.
Inexpensive.
Can cover a large amount of people.
Response rate can be increased.
More representative results.

Question 6

Limitations of structured interviews.

Answer 6

Closed ended questions.
It can be more costly.
They can take more time.
People may be less willinging to take part.

Question 7

Why are structured interviews seen as producing reliable data?

Answer 7

If an interview is conducted in exactly the same way using the same procedure it can be high in realisability.

Question 8

Why critics see structured interviews as lacking validity?

Answer 8

Don’t give an authentic picture.
Close ended questions limits the answers.

Question 9

What problems are caused by structured interviews being inflexible?

Answer 9

Only a snap shot of time.

Question 10

State 3 feminist criticisms of survey methods such as structured interviews.

Answer 10

1) The researcher, not the female interviewer, is in control of the interview and decides the line of questioning to be followed. This mirrors women’s subordination in wider society.

2) Survey methods treat women as isolated individuals rather than seeing them in the context of the power relationships that oppress them.

3) Surveys impose the researcher’s categories in women making it difficult for them to express their experiences of oppression, thus concealing the unequal power relationships between the sexes.

Question 11

Summarise rapport and sensitivity as an advantage of unstructured interviews.

Answer 11

The informality of unstructured interviews allows the interviewer to develop a rapport (relation of trust and understanding) with the interviewed.

Question 12

Summarise the interviewee’s view as an advantage of unstructured interviews.

Answer 12

As there’s no set questions, unstructured interviews allow the interviewee more opportunity to speak about those things they think are important.

Question 13

Summarise checking understanding as an advantage of unstructured interviews.

Answer 13

A major advantage of unstructured interviews is that they make it easier for the interviewer and interviewee to check each other’s meanings.

Question 14

Summarise flexibility as an advantage of unstructured interviews.

Answer 14

Unstructured interviews are flexible. The interviewer is not restricted to a fixed set of questions in advance, but can explore whatever seems interesting or relevant.

Question 15

Summarise exploring unfamiliar topics as an advantage of unstructured interviews.

Answer 15

Unstructured interviews may be more useful precisely because they are open/ended and exploratory.

Question 16

Summarise practical problems as a disadvantage of unstructured interviews.

Answer 16

Time and sample size.
Training.
Interpersonal skills.

Question 17

Summarise reliability as a disadvantage of unstructured interviews.

Answer 17

Unstructured interviews are not reliable as they are not standardised.
Each interview is unique.

Question 18

Summarise representativeness as a disadvantage of unstructured interviews.

Answer 18

The smaller numbers involved mean it’s more likely that the sample interviewed will not be representative.

Question 19

Summarise quantification as a disadvantage of unstructured interviews.

Answer 19

Open-ended questions makes it very difficult to count up and quantify the numbers of interviewees giving this it that answer.

Question 20

Summarise validity as a disadvantage of unstructured interviews.

Answer 20

Generally seen as producing valid data.
Critics argue that the fact that they involve interaction between interviewers and interviewees inevitably colours and distorts the information obtained.

Question 21

3 reason why positivists might favour structured interviews.

Answer 21

Standardised questions- relatable data.
Pre-coded responses allow us to produce reliable data.
Structured interviews are often large scale and thus more representative.

Question 22

2 reasons why interpretivists might favour unstructured interviews.

Answer 22

Absence of a pre-set structure means interviewees can discuss what’s important to them.

Open-ended questions allow interviewees to express themselves.

Question 23

How might interview bias affect an interview?

Answer 23

The interviewer may ask ‘leading’ questions, where the wording ‘tells’ the interviewee how to answer.
The interviewer identifies too closely with the interviewees.

Question 24

How might artificiality affect an interview?

Answer 24

Even the most relaxed of unstructured interviews is still an interview not a normal conversation. Under artificial conditions, it’s sometimes doubtful whether truthful answer can be obtained.

Question 25

How might cultural differences affect an interview?

Answer 25

These may undermine validity. There may be misunderstanding as a result of different meanings being given to the same words.

Question 26

How might status and power inequalities affect an interview?

Answer 26

Inequalities between interviewer and interviewee may affect the interviewee’s honesty and willingness to answer.

Question 27

How might the social desirability effect affect an interview?

Answer 27

In social interaction, people often seek to win approval. This may be even truer in an interview, where interviewees may be on their best beth and give answers that present them in a favourable light.

Question 28

How might ethical issues affect an interview?

Answer 28

The interview is a social interaction, the interviewee may feel under some pressure to answer questions.

Question 29

How did Kinsey (1953) improve the validity of their interviews.

Answer 29

Interviews on sexual behaviour asked rapidly, giving interviewees little time to think, and used some questions to check the answers given to others. Follow-up interviews 18 months later were also used as a way of checking earlier answers.

Question 30

How did Becker(1971) improve the validity of their interviews.

Answer 30

Developed another approach in his interviews with 60 Chicago schoolteachers. He used aggression, disbelief and ‘playing dumb’ as ways of extracting sensitive information from them that might not otherwise have revealed about how they classified pupils in terms of their social class and ethnic background. However, the success of such tactics requires the researcher to have special skills. For the same reason, this approach might also prove difficult to replicate.

Question 31

How did Kinsey (1953) improve the validity of their interviews.

Answer 31

Survey of the health of Britain’s ethnic minorities were carried out in the language of the interviewee’s choice.

Question 32

Lost some practical issues when using interviews to research young people in education.

Answer 32

Be less articulate. More reluctant to talk. Not understand long, complex questions or some abstract concepts. Have a more limited vocabulary. Read body language differently from adults.

Question 33

What practical problems might a sociologist face when trying to interview: Teachers: Parents:

Answer 33

Teachers: Put off by the fear of colleagues or the head teacher overhearing especially if the questions are of a sensitive nature. Location. Time consuming. Interruption. Distractions. Parents: Busy working. Parenting schedules. May only cooperate in lengthy interviews if they can see some benefit to their children’s education.

Question 34

Why are structured interviews likely to produce reliable data?

Answer 34

They are standardised/ each interview is conducted the same way when the same questions. Same order. Easy to repeat.

Question 35

Why are structured interviews less likely to produce valid data?

Answer 35

Young people are unlikely to respond favourably to such a formal style. They might see the interviewer as a teacher like figure.

Question 36

List some of the problems of gaining access to pupils and teachers.

Answer 36

Schools may be reluctant to allow. Sociologists to conduct interviews during lesson time. Parental consent.

Question 37

How might the researcher overcome issues of access l?

Answer 37

If the researcher can obtain official support for the study, then the hierarchical nature of school may work in their favour. Organised. Plan research. Get permission in advance. Break and lunches. Avoid busy times in the year.

Question 38

What might be the effects on the interview if pupils see the researcher as a ‘teacher in disguise’?

Answer 38

Less power for the interviewees so may be more likely to lie. They may not open up as much as they feel they are speaking to a teacher.

Question 39

5 ways in which Greene and Hogan say interviews with phil’s might be improved.

Answer 39

1) Use open- ended rather than closed-ended questions. 2) Not interrupt children’s answers. 3)Tolerate king paauses to allow children to think about what they want to say. 4)Recognise that children are more suggestible and so it’s particularly important to avoid asking leading questions. 5) Avoid repeating questions, since this makes children change their first answer because they think it was wrong.