Types of interview

Structured interviews- Formal interviews involve that involves the researcher working through a questionnaire as part of the survey

• Positivists like this interview because it produces large amounts of information cheaply and quickly

• Interviewers can explain the questionnaire

• Interviewers can observe the context in which answers are given/ facial expressions, tone, body language

Unstructured interviews- This method involves the interviewer asking open ended questions allowing the responder to answer in a free way

• Interpretivists like this method because trust can be developed which can generate more qualitative information

• Flexible as the conversation isnt controlled by fixed questions which can generate more valid information

• Provides more opportunity for the respondents to say what they want

However, interview bias can play an effect in both of these as people may not act natural because they are interactional situations which can be affected by the changes from interviewer to respondent