Methods: Interviews

Question 1

Describe structured or formal interviews.

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Question 2

Describe unstructured or informal interviews.

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Question 3

Describe semi-structured interviews.

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Question 4

Describe group interviews.

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Question 5

Why might groups interviews be likely to produce valid data?

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Question 6

Why might group interviews be unlikely to produce reliable data?

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Question 7

Explain why structured interviews are seen as producing reliable data.

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Question 8

Explain why critics see structured interviews as lacking validity.

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Question 9

What problems are caused by structured interviews being flexible?

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Question 10

State three feminist criticisms of survey methods such as structured interviews.

Answer 10

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Question 11

Summarise the following advantages of unstructured interviews:

• Rapport and sensitivity
• The interviewee’s view

Answer 11

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Question 12

Summarise the following advantages of unstructured interviews:

• Checking understanding
• Flexibility

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Question 13

Summarise the following advantage of unstructured interviews:
- Exploring unfamiliar topics

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Question 14

Summarise the following disadvantages of unstructured interviews:

• Practical problems
• Representativeness

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Question 15

Summarise the following disadvantages of unstructured interviews:

• Reliability
• Quantification

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Question 16

Summarise the following disadvantage of unstructured interviews:
- Validity

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Question 17

Give three reasons why positivists might favour structured interviews.

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Question 18

Give two reasons why interpretivists might favour unstructured interviews

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Question 19

Explain how the following factors may affect an interview:

• Interview bias
• Artificiality

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Question 20

Explain how the following factors may affect an interview:

• Status and power inequalities
• Cultural differences

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Question 21

Explain how the following factors may affect an interview:

• The social desirability effect
• Ethical issues

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Question 22

Explain how Kinsey (1953) improved the validity of their interviews.

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Question 23

Explain how Becker improved the validity of their interviews.

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Question 24

Explain how Nazroo (1997) improved the validity of their interviews.

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