Asking questions: Interviews, Wednesday 14th December 2016 Sociological Methods Asking questions: Interviews, Wednesday 14th December 2016

Recap Sociological Research Primary Data Observation Asking Questions Questionnaires Interviews (Structured or Unstructured) Participant Observation Non-Participant Observation Overt /Covert Primary or Secondary Data

Lesson Aims 1. Examine the skills needed in order to conduct a good interview 2. Identify the main types of interviews used in sociological research 3. Examine the usefulness of interviews in sociological research

TASK: Identify three skills needed for an effective interview 2 mins

Interviews in Sociology Interview Skills: Create rapport and trust with respondents. Leads to better results Start with very general questions, then more specific questions. Avoid leading questions. © onlineclassroom.tv 2007

No pre-planned schedule - more like a conversation. Primary Data Types of Interviews Structured Unstructured No pre-planned schedule - more like a conversation. Pre-set questions (via questionnaire) that are delivered face to face or by the telephone Asking Questions

Interviews Interviews remain the most common data collection method in qualitative research Interviews are a familiar and flexible way of asking people about their opinions and experiences.

Structured Interviews Structured Interviews are based on a standardised list of prepared questions administered by an interviewer Questions can be open and closed

Validity vs Reliability

Structured Interviews: Advantages Standardised data collection. (easy to compare respondents) – can elicit quantitative data High reliability (easy to replicate) Large numbers, quick, cheap.

Structured Interviews: Disadvantages May lack validity. Lack of depth [questions may not cover respondent’s experiences]. Lack of flexibility. Meaning problem. (the same question may be interpreted in different ways by your interviewees)

Unstructured interview Unstructured interviews are like conversations No pre planned questions Questions are added or adapted at the interview progresses.

Strengths Weaknesses 1. Increase validity and depth 3. Time consuming 4. Allows for elaboration 5. They are only suitable for relatively small samples 7. They give you a better undertsanding of things from the respondent’s point of view 8. The interviewer needs to be highly skilled 2. They are unreliable as this method is not standardised 6. Greater flexibility: can lead to the development of new ideas

Semi-Structured Interview The use of some pre-formulated questions, but no strict adherence to them. New questions might emerge during the conversation Share the same sort of advantages and disadvantages as unstructured interviews

TASK: Worksheet – exam practice 10 mins

Limitations of All Interviews: Interviewer bias – Interviewer may ask leading questions, which is more of a danger in unstructured interview as this can influence the answer. Versheten (pronounced ‘ferchaen’) - try to see it from interviewees perspective, prevents the imputing of meanings and values into research   Interview Effect - may give ‘socially expected’ answers. Hawthorne Effect - Changes in the behaviour of participants resulting from an awareness that they are taking part in an experiment/research. Lack of ecological validity - cannot tell us how people really behave. Ethical issues – not informing interviewees the real purpose of interview

Group Matching Task Type of interview or issue and a response that goes with it 10 mins

EXTENSION TASK: Read the statements at the end of your worksheet and indicate whether they apply to structured or unstructured interviews 10 mins

Name an advantage of collecting quantitative data Extension Test Name an advantage of collecting quantitative data

It's less likely to be biased Answer It's less likely to be biased

Name a disadvantage of collecting quantitative data Test Name a disadvantage of collecting quantitative data

It may not produce data which is valid Answer It may not produce data which is valid

What types of interviews are available to researchers? Test What types of interviews are available to researchers?

Structured, unstructured, semi structured Answer Structured, unstructured, semi structured

What is a problem with participant observation? Test What is a problem with participant observation?

Answer Going Native

What is a problem with overt observation? Test What is a problem with overt observation?

Answer Hawthorne Effect