Theory And Methods

Question 1

Unstructured interview
Definition

Answer 1

Informal interviews, with no specific set questions. They have a freedom to vary questions and are able to ask follow up questions, like a conversation

Question 2

Semi-structured interviews
Definition & sociologist

Answer 2

Lies inbetween the two extremes. Some questions may be preset where further questions can be asked if necessary

Sociologists like cicourel and kitsuse use this approach where they always followed up questions with ‘how do you mean?’

Question 3

Structured interview
Definition

Answer 3

Formal interview with set questions that are closed and coded questions are used. The interview has to be asked the same way, same order by the interviewer

Question 4

Group interviews
Definition & sociologist

Answer 4

A number of ppl interviewed together. They can include focus groups to discuss certain topics and record their views.
Paul Willis did this to research the ‘lads’ and schooling.

Question 5

Unstructured interviews-
Practical strengths

Answer 5

Flexibility- this allows more valid results, with opportunity to probe deeper into areas of interest and explore new u familiar topics.

Exploring unfamiliar topics- the researcher doesn’t need to know much knowledge on the subject. It’s often use as a starting point to develop initial ideas.

Question 6

Unstructured interviews-
Ethical strengths

Answer 6

Rapport and sensitivity- the interviewer can develop a rapport with the person being interviewed which puts them at ease and encourages them to open up

Question 7

Unstructured interviews-
Ethical sociologist

Answer 7

Dobash and Dobash- used unstructured interviews to research domestic violence and found they built a rapport with interviewees who felt comfortable discussing personal issues

Question 8

Unstructured interviews-
Theoretical strengths

Answer 8

Interviewers views- bc there’s no set questions the interviewee has more opportunity to speak about what they think is important allowing more valid data and new insights

Question 9

Unstructured interviews-
Practical weaknesses

Answer 9

Time and cost
Training- interviewees need more training for the interviews as they need a background of sociology so they know what is imprtant

Question 10

Unstructured interviews-
Ethical weaknesses

Answer 10

Harm- can ask distressing and intrusive questions as there’s no set questions, leading to more chance of this
Interpersonal relationship- researcher may become too friendly and may cross a professional boundary

Question 11

Unstructured interviews-
Theoretical weaknesses

Answer 11

Representative- only use a small number of participants

Reliability- the interview can’t be reliable as they aren’t standardised, difference between respondents may reflect the difference in the interview

Quantification- hard for the data to be recorded

Question 12

Structured interviews-
Practical advantages-

Answer 12

Quick and cheap- training interviewers is cheap as they are just reading the questions, and easily quantified results (easy to record)

Question 13

Structured interviews-
Ethical advantages

Answer 13

Detachment- no issue as the results won’t be impacted by them building a relationship

Predetermined set questions- less risk of upsetting or imposing questions

Question 14

Structured interviews-
Theoretical advantages

Answer 14

Response rate- quick, from a large number, can be generalised

Reliable- questions are asked in the same way, and same questions so research can be compared and replicated

Question 15

Structured interviews-
Theoretical sociologist work

Answer 15

Young and willmott- approached 987 ppl in their study and only 54 refused an interview

Question 16

Structured interviews-
Practical disadvantages

Answer 16

Inflexible- can’t ask follow up questions. Lack validity as it doesn’t get the participants concerns and priorities

Cost- have to get interviewers with good ppl skills

Question 17

Structured interviews-
Ethical disadvantages

Answer 17

Not suitable for sensitive topics as can’t build a rapport
May feel like they have to answer a question

Question 18

Structured interviews-
Theoretical disadvantages

Answer 18

Response rate- those who participate may be those who have more time and don’t work leading to unrepresentative data

Question 19

Group interviews-
Practical advantages

Answer 19

Good way to get into tail ideas to look at later
Combine questioning with opportunity to observe group dynamics

Question 20

Group interviews-
Ethical advantages

Answer 20

Feel more comfortable around peers and so they open up

Question 21

Group interviews-
Theoretical advantages

Answer 21

Throws ideas around the group stimulating others ideas, creating more valid data

Question 22

Group interviews-
Practical disadvantages

Answer 22

One or two ppl may dominate the discussion preventing others from voicing their opinions.

Data can be difficult to analyse

Question 23

Group interviews-
Ethical disadvantages

Answer 23

Some may feel like they are unable to open up infront of others in fear of being judged if it’s a sensitive issue

Question 24

Group interviews-
Theoretical disadvantages

Answer 24

Peer group pressure to conform to norms may effect validity

Question 25

Questionnaires- Definition

Answer 25

A type of social survey that can be distributed to homes, by email or on the spot that are preset questions

Question 26

Questionnaires- Closed questions

Answer 26

Respondent chooses from a range of answers that the researcher decided in advance (multiple choice)

Question 27

Questionnaires- Open ended

Answer 27

Respondent is free to give whatever answer they wish with no pre set answers

Question 28

Questionnaires- Who is it favored by and why?

Answer 28

Positivists Useful for testing hypotheses and can show correlations

Question 29

Questionnaires- Practical advantages

Answer 29

Quick cheap and efficient- large amount of data from large numbers of ppl over a geographical area Easy to quantify- Can be processed quickly by a computer Training- no need to recruit and train interviewers

Question 30

Questionnaires- Ethical advantages

Answer 30

Less ethical issues to other research methods- may ask sensitive or intrusive questions but respondents may choose not to answer these. Anonymity and confidentiality- can guarantee their details are kept secret and it’s made clear they don’t have to answer the questions

Question 31

Questionnaires- Theoretical advantages

Answer 31

Reliability- produce similar results and can be repeated allowing comparisons to be made. The same sets of questions would be used, same order and same answers to choose from. Representative- can make a generalisation as it’s a large number of ppl

Question 32

Questionnaires- Sociologist example of theoretical advantage

Answer 32

Connor and Dewson- posted 4000 questionnaires to uni students, this could be generalised

Question 33

Questionnaires- Practical disadvantages

Answer 33

Money- sometimes need to offer incentives like prize draws Postal/online questionnaires- can’t be sure the potential respondent has received it or if it was completed by the person it was addressed to Inflexibility- no need to areas of interest can be explored Language- may involve complex language which some ppl may not understand

Question 34

Questionnaires- Practical disadvantages sociologist example

Answer 34

Schofield- asked a girl if she was a virgin which she replied to not yet. Shows she didn’t understand it- language

Question 35

Questionnaires- Ethical disadvantages

Answer 35

Sensitive data- ppl answering the questions without a rapport, meaning u can’t make them feel comfortable

Question 36

Questionnaires- Theoretical disadvantages

Answer 36

Right answerism- respondent may lie, not know, forget, not understand or try to second guess the researcher. They may try give an ‘respectable’ answer which effects validity Low response rate- ppl who work full time may not be able to, ppl with strong views, or unemployed are more likely to respond. This can create unrepresentative results meaning it can’t be generalised

Question 37

Questionnaires- Theoretical disadvantage sociologist example

Answer 37

Shere Hite’s- study on love passion and violence. Sent 100,000 questionnaires with a response rate of 4.5%