interviews

types of interviews

quantitative - numbers - positivists

qualitative - words - interpretivists

structured ; list of set, prepared questions, closed, multiple choice (quantitative)

unstructured ; more like a conversation. informal, free flowing (qualitative)

semi-structured ; researcher has a set of questions to ask but can fee flow the conversation to probe the respondent

group interviews ; two or more respondents, unstructured

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adv/disadv of unstructured interviews

advantages

respondent led - researcher listens to respondent and asks questions based on what they say, fully expresses the researcher
flexibility - researcher can change their questions ask the interview develops
rapport and empathy - encourages a good rapport between interviewer and respondent - makes respondent feel at ease - allows interviewer to show sympathy
empowerment for respondents - neutralises the hierarchy, feel more on an equal footing
practical advantages - relatively quick method for gathering in depth data

disadvantages

lack of reliablity - each interview is unique
difficult to repeat - might be a different interviewer - might not get the same relationship
interview bias - values of the researcher could interfere with the results
lack representativeness - difficult to get a large enough sample to represent a large population
practical - takes time - need to be taped and transcribed
ethical - potential for harm to the respondent (unknown questions)

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advantages

enables the researcher to examine the level of understanding a respondent has about a particular topic
formal - detail
representative - easy to repeat
relaible quantitative data
large numbers, easily and efficiently
no bias

disadvantages

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