Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Interviews (Structured interviews (Practical issues (Characteristics of…
Interviews
Structured interviews
'Interviewer is given strict instructions on how to ask the Q's & is conducted in the same standardised way each time asking the interviewee precisely the same Q's, word for word, in the same order, same tone of voice etc.'
Practical issues
Characteristics of the researcher - Affect how truthful/responsive the interviewee is e.g. age/gender.
-
-
-
-
-
Inexpensive - Training researcher is easy due to interview schedule & specialist skills are not needed.
-
-
Ethical Issues
Sensitive topics - Handled with care, if not could lead to withdrawing/false answers.
-
-
Theoretical Issues
-
Representative - Large sample can be obtained therefore, generalisations can be made.Samples may be untypical & undermining the validity of the research .Generalisations cannot be made about wider society.
-
Leading Q's - Interviewer may ask the Q's in such a way as to lead the interviewee to give the desired response - Low validity.
Interviewer bias - The interviewers presence may influence the responses the interviewee gives, they may give answers that they think the interviewer wants to hear rather than giving their own view (Social desirability) - Low validity.
Preferred by positivists - Reliable data, large scale & representative.
-
-
Unstructured interview
'Interviewer has complete freedom to vary the Q's, wording, order etc. Pursuing whatever line of questioning seems appropriate at the time.'
Practical issues
-
Costly - Training needs to be thorough & have background in sociology to know when to follow up Q's & gain insight.
Good interpersonal skills - Interviewer needs this & be able to develop a rapport to encourage honesty.
Characteristics of the researcher - Affect how truthful/responsive the interviewee is e.g. age/gender access to valid data limited.
-
-
Allows the interviewer to develop a rapport - more likely to open up - good for discussing personal subjects e.g abuse.
Ethical issues
-
Rapport - Sensitivity, Q's are able to be discussed without causing distress.
-
Theoretical issues
Small unrepresentative samples - Length of time to conduct, each interview can take several hours.
Valid - Freedom for the interviewee to express their views.Q's can be clarified to check a full understanding.
-
-
-
-
Grouped interviews
-
-
Strengths
-
In a discussion ideas can be thrown around to stimulate others thinking - produces reflective & rich data.
-
-
-
-
-
-