semi-structured/ group interviews Flashcards
what is a semi-structured interview
each interview has the same set of questions in common, but the interviewer can probe for further information
who might use semi-structured interviews
Positivists have the structure that can produce quantitative data through set questions, and Interpretivists can dig deeper into the meaning of the interviewee due to the flexibility.
example of a semi-structured interview
Jackson’s study of Lads and Ladettes in school. She interviewed 153 students to study how this behaviour impacted on school achievement
what are group interviews
when up to a dozen or so people are being interviewed together
what is rapport
building a relationship between participants and the interviewer
what is social desirability
answering in a way thought to please the interviewer
why might interpretivists use group interviews
they give an insight into the interactions between group members and the behaviours of groups
why are positivists less likely to use group interviews
there is less control, so they are less likely to gain clear quantitative data due to the lack of standardisation. these are not reliable, due to lack of repeatability
example of group interviews
Willis’ study of 12 ‘lads’, looking into anti-school subcultures causing them to gain less qualifications, and preparing them for working class jobs
general advantages of group interviews
- allows researcher to observe interactions between interviewees
- less time consuming and costly than individual interviews
- sociologist is present, allowing for explanation of misunderstood questions, and gaining informed consent/ explaining the right to withdraw
- certain vulnerable groups feel more confident in a group setting to speak honestly
general disadvantages of group interviews
-interviewers need to be carefully trained and have good personal skills to build trust and rapport whilst keeping the group on topic
- social desirability is more likely to occur in a group setting
general advantages of semi-structured interviews
- useful as it combines strengths of structured and unstructured interviews
- allows sociologist to gain both qualitative and quantitative data to produce findings which are both reliable and valid
general disadvantages of semi-structured interviews
- sociologists need to be well-trained as parts of the interview will be flexible and the researcher will need to adapt
- researcher needs to be skilled in both positivist and interpretivist methodologies to analyse both data sets
practical strengths of using semi-structured group interviews
- quicker than interviewing people individually
- flexibility
- checking understanding as sociologist is present
ethical strengths of semi-structured group interviews
- sociologist is present, so gains informed consent
- right to withdraw given
- no deception
- building rapport helps with sensitive topics
- certain vulnerable groups feel more comfortable in a group setting
theoretical strengths of semi-structured group interviews
- pleases both methodologies with both quantitative and qualitative data produced
- can help to generate further thinking for the interviewer, which can lead to hypothesis formulation
- can be used in triangulation to observe group dynamics
- participants stimulate ideas unto each other, producing rich qualitative data
practical weaknesses of semi-structured group interviews
- researcher needs in-depth training, an requires good interpersonal skills
- data from group interaction is more complex to analyse
- researcher must be able to keep up with the group and keep them focused on the research topic
ethical weaknesses of semi-structured group interviews
- group could become threatening to the interviewer
- members may intimidate others in the group
- one of two individuals may dominate the conversation, making others feel uncomfortable when speaking
- peer group pressure to conform to group norms may cause psychological harm to participants
- can be mentally challenging on interviewer to keep up
- harder to keep confidentiality and anonymity in group interviews
theoretical disadvantages of using semi-structured group interviews
- social desirability may reduce validity
- interviewer bias could impact validity
- group interviews lack reliability and representativeness
- status and power inequalities within the group
- one of two people could dominate the conversation
