2.3.4 Structured interviews (SI)

Question 1

What are structured interviews?

Answer 1

• Similar to questionnaires.
• Predetermined questions are read out & filled out by interviewer.

Question 2

What are advantages of SIs?

Answer 2

Response rate:
- Usually higher as people find it difficult to turn down a face to face request.
Reliability:
- They’re standardised & controlled so can therefore be repeated.

Question 3

What are disadvantages of SIs?

Answer 3

Validity:
- Due to them being a social interaction, there’s always a risk that to interviewer will impact on answers.
Inflexibility:
- This impacts them validity of the findings.
Feminist criticism:
- Researcher is dominant & in control.
- Interviews mirror women’s subordination especially if the female participant feels intimidated

Question 4

What are advantages of SIs in education?

Answer 4

Response rate:
- They take less time & are less disruptive to schools activities.
- Due to this they’re more likely to receive official support.
Reliability:
- They’re easy to replicate.
- Large scale behaviour can be identified.
Validity:
- Interviews may be more successful than questionnaires as young people tend to have better verbal skills

Question 5

What are disadvantages of using SIs in education research?

Answer 5

Power difference:
- Pupil see adults as an authoritative figure so may attempt to seek approval.
Question design:
- Questions may be long & complex so difficult for pupil to understand.
- They may need clarity & help which are don’t happen in SIs.