Methods in Context Practice Q

Evaluate the strengths and limitations of using group interviews for investigating the causes of educational underachievement amongst boys.

Group interviews are a qualitative method preffered by interpretivists. They are high in validity and allow insight into meanings and motivations. However, positivists criticise their lack of reliability, representativeness and generalisability.

One advantage of group interviews is that a wide range of responses can be gathered in a relatively short amount of time. This is highly practical in education where timetables restrict the availability of interviewees. It would be wrong to move students who are underachieving from lessons. Underachieving boys were studied by Paul Willis, who found that they often truanted, are therefore it is vital that the research does not intensify their missing content.

Another advantage of group interviews is that they encourage a more open and honest discussion, in particular amongst boys who may feel more comfortable sharing their experiences in front of their peers.

Alternatively, a disadvantage of group interviews is that an interviewer could lose control of his interviewees during the interview. This is viable in the education system, as young boys may struggle to sit still and stay focused during the interview, this could lead to an interviewer losing control of the interview and getting no real responses to help enhance the research.