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Sociology - Research Methods > Topic 4 - Interviews > Flashcards

Topic 4 - Interviews Flashcards

1
Q

Structured interviews

A
  • Favoured by positivists
  • Strict instructions with standardised questions
  • Closed-ended questions are used
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2
Q

Practical strengths of structured interviews

A
  • Fairly quick and cheap
  • Straightforward
  • Easily quantified results
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3
Q

Fairly quick and cheap (practical strength - structured interviews)

A
  • Quick to do as there are no follow up questions so positively impacts the economy
  • Can cover large numbers of people over a short period of time
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4
Q

Straightforward (practical strength - structured interview)

A
  • Training interviewers is straightforward and inexpensive as they simply need to read a set of questions
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5
Q

Easily quantified results (practical strength - structured interviews)

A
  • Results are early quantified because closed-ended questions are used with coded answers, meaning hypothesis can be tested
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6
Q

Ethical strengths of structured interviews

A
  • Informed consent
  • Detachment
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7
Q

Detachment (ethical strength - structured interviews)

A
  • The structure of the interview allows for detachment from the interviewee which means they won’t be as impacted by ethical concerns such as becoming too close with the participant
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8
Q

Informed consent (ethical strength - structured interviews)

A
  • All participants consent to being interviewed
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9
Q

Theoretical strengths of structured interviews

A
  • Response rate
  • Reliability
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10
Q

Response rate (theoretical strength - structured interviews)

A
  • Can collect data from a large number of respondents and researchers can then generalise
  • Higher response rates than questionnaires because people find it harder to turn down a face-to-face request
    EVIDENCE
  • YOUNG and WILLMOTT approached 987 people in their study and only 54 refused to be interviewed
  • Increases representativeness
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11
Q

Reliability (theoretical strength - structured interviews)

A
  • Data collected is seen as reliable as all questions are asked in the same way so the answers can be compared and replicated if needed
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12
Q

Practical weaknesses of structured interviews

A
  • Inflexible
  • More costly then a questionnaire
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13
Q

Ethical weaknesses of structured interviews

A
  • May feel they have to answer the question
  • Unsuitable for discussing sensitive issues
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14
Q

Theoretical weaknesses of structured interviews

A
  • Response rate
  • Validity
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15
Q

Feminist criticisms of structured interviews

A
  • GRAHAM aruges structured interviews are patriarchal and give a distorted view of womens expereinces
  • Male is often in control of situation = ask questioins from his POV
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16
Q

Unstructured interivews

A
  • Guided conversation
  • Open ended questions which could trigger discussion
17
Q

Practical advantages of unstructured interviews

A
  • Flexibility
  • Exploring unfarmiliar topics
18
Q

Ethical strengths of unstructured interviews

A
  • Rapport and sensitivity
19
Q

DOBASH and DOBASH

A
  • Used unstructured interviews to research domestic violence and built rapport = open up with thier personal issues
20
Q

Theoretical strengths of unstructured interviews

A
  • The interviewees view
  • Checking understanding
  • Validity
21
Q

Practical weaknesses of unstructured interviews

A
  • Time and cost
  • Training
  • Interpersonal skills
22
Q

Ethical weaknesses of unstructured interviews

A
  • Harm
  • Interpersonal relationships
23
Q

Theoretical weaknesses of unstructured interviews

A
  • Reliability
  • Quantification
  • Representativeness
24
Q

Group interviews

A
  • Researcher interviews several participants
25
Q

Foucs groups

A
  • Group focuses on a specific topic to explore in depth and people are free to talk to one another, as well as the researcher
26
Q

Strengths of groups interviews/focus groups

A
  • Feel more comfortable around peers so more likely to open up
  • Throw ideas around produces more valid data
  • A good way of getting initial insight
  • Combine questioning with the opportunity to observe group dynamics
27
Q

Weaknesses of group interviews/focus groups

A
  • One or two individuals could dominate the discussion, preventing others from voicing their opinion
  • Much depends on the researchers ability to keep the group focussed
  • Peer group pressure to conform could affect validity
  • Data recorded may be difficult to analyse

Sociology - Research Methods (6 decks)

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