Week 19

Question 1

Why might interpretivist sociologists prefer unstructured interviews over structured ones?

Answer 1

Unstructured interviews allow participants to explain meanings in their own words, producing rich, in-depth and high-validity data.

Question 2

How do group interviews differ from individual interviews, and what unique challenges do they present?

Answer 2

Group interviews involve multiple participants at once, which can encourage discussion but may lead to peer pressure and reduced honesty.

Question 3

How can interviewer training affect the reliability of interview data?

Answer 3

Training standardises questioning style and reduces interviewer bias, making responses more consistent and reliable.

Question 4

What ethical considerations must researchers keep in mind when conducting interviews on sensitive topics?

Answer 4

Researchers must protect participants from harm, ensure confidentiality, and avoid distress, especially when discussing personal or traumatic experiences.

Question 5

How can informed consent be ensured in interview-based research?

Answer 5

By clearly explaining the purpose of the research, how data will be used, and allowing participants to withdraw at any time.

Question 6

Why might interviews pose a risk of psychological harm to participants, and how can this be mitigated?

Answer 6

Sensitive questions may cause emotional distress; this can be reduced through careful questioning, support, and stopping interviews if needed.

Question 7

Why are interviews often considered high in validity but low in reliability?

Answer 7

They capture genuine meanings and experiences (high validity) but are difficult to replicate due to differences in interviewer style and responses (low reliability).

Question 8

How do positivists and interpretivists differ in their evaluation of interviews as a research method?

Answer 8

Positivists criticise interviews for lack of objectivity and reliability, while interpretivists value them for depth and understanding social meanings.

Question 9

How can rapport between interviewer and participant improve the quality of data collected?

Answer 9

Rapport builds trust, encouraging participants to give more honest, detailed and reflective answers.

Question 10

Give two examples of case studies that use interviews as the method.

Answer 10

Becker (1971) – interviews with teachers on labelling and the “ideal pupil”. Willis (1977) – interviews with working-class boys in Learning to Labour.