Interviews

KEY TERM

a form of interview in which questions are pre-set & the interviewer’s role is simply to read them out; questions are usually designed to produce short answers which don’t require development/explanation

structured interview

What are the advantages of structured interviews?

• quantifiable data (eg. 52% voted to leave EU, can be Y/N answers)

• comparable data

• less time + money

• less chance of interviewer bias

What are the disadvantages of structured interviews?

• limited responses

• interviewers’ priorities set the Qs

KEY TERM

a form of interview in which the same of questions is read to the participant, but the interviewer may “probe” & add depth to answers, forming non-standard interviews

semi-structured interviews

KEY TERM

a form of interview in which interviewers + participants engage in conversations, with informal, open-ended questions (although the interviewer may direct to certain topics)

unstructured interviews

What are the advantages of unstructured interviews?

• participant direction may provide new insight

• can uncover meanings

• more likely to provide valid data if participants open up

• sensitive groups may express feelings

• sensitive topics may be discussed with sympathy (eg. Smiths 1998 study of homeless people)

What are the disadvantages of unstructured interviews?

• interviewer bias

• participants impacted by interviewer’s characteristics (Williams Jr claims that greater status differences between interviewer + participant —> less likely to express feelings)

• social desirability effect (exaggeration) reduces validity

• limited comparibility

Standard advice given to interviewers is to establish ______ (a friendly + understanding relationship) & be _______

rapport, non-directive

Who said that in their own experience interviewing, participants would have liked “guidance on what I regarded as relevant”, but said that she was anxious not to “mould the data to my preconceptions by giving them any”?

Platt

Platt: participants would have liked “guidance on what I regarded as relevant”, but said that she was anxious not to “mould….”

“the data to my preconceptions by giving them any”

Who used directive interviewing with success with Chicago schoolteachers, and found that they put aside social desirability and were keen to be honest in the face of solid questions (“I coerced many interviewees into being… more frank”)?

Howard Becker

Howard Becker: “I coerced…”

“many interviewees into being… more frank”

Who “coerced many interviewees into being… more frank”?

Howard Becker

Who drew attention to the importance of listening as a “crucial skill” for interviewers?

Edwards & Holland

Focus groups (group interviews) usually have how many members?

4-10

Which non-participant is usually present in focus groups?

Moderator

Who points out that common characteristics among focus group members can encourage discussion + empowerment & minimise the intervention of the moderator?

Morgan (2006)

What are the disadvantages of focus groups?

• researchers have less control

• may force moderator involvement (eg. to stop an individual dominating)

• group pressure

• social desirability

• embarrassment

Which sociologist found email interviews an effective method of sourcing data?

• Lucy Gibson (2010)

• 55 music fans aged 30+

• “rich + complex accounts [of participants’] music experiences”

• interviews stretched over months; time to construct “carefully crafted stories”

• reduced travel times

• zero cost

• saved time transcribing audio recordings

What are the advantages of email interviews?

• relaxed setting

• considered answers

• sensitive issues

• impaired speech (Ison used for young people with cerebral palsy)

• time + money

• several interviews simultaneously ongoing

• global

What are the disadvantages of email interviews?

• lack of immediacy limits conversation

• unlikely to be based on cross-section of population, as low-income groups less likely to have computer access

• body language not conveyed

Which interview method balances disadvantages/advantages of email interviews with focus groups?

online focus groups

Do positivists tend to prefer structured or unstructured interviews?

structured

Do interpretivists tend to prefer structured or unstructured interviews?

unstructured

What should interviewers state to ensure informed consent?

• who they are

• what research is about

• what they intend to do with data

What are the general ethical guidelines for interviews?

• informed consent

• participants can end interview at any time

• participants protected from emotional harm

• participant told that they will remain anonymous + info. will be confidential

• advised not to take sides (some interviewers disagree)

• moderators in focus groups should make sure Qs are suitable

KEY TERM

an interviewing technique whereby interviewers attempt to avoid leading participants to answer in particular ways

non-directive interviewing