https://padlet.com/14bromlea/yiz5swsxjzpj en-us 2016-02-05 15:21:32 UTC 2025-10-19 12:44:49 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.storage.googleapis.com/portrait/monkey.jpg naomishave1999 https://padlet.com/14bromlea/yiz5swsxjzpj/wish/94257188 Structured interviews involve the researcher reading out a list of closed questions which are from an interview schedule ( questionnaire).
As well as this the interviewer will write down answers according to pre-set fixed categories on behalf of the participant.

Interviewers role:
- plays a passive role.
- is not aloud to deviate from the set questions (to avoid the participant to alter their response).
- little or not flexibility during the interview.

Structured interviews are usually converted into quantitative data, and can be used in a variety of different forms for example; statistics, charts and graphs and percentages.
- positivist a would use this as they believe this method is scientific.
•OBJECTIVITY- this method also avoids influence from the researcher  by setting controlled conditions
• VALUE FREE - research not influenced by the researchers personal values.

Roger Gomm (2004)
-Roger Gomm argues that a major problem or interviews is that an interviewers responses may be influenced by what they think the situation requires.
- some respondents may be influenced by the the researchers motives or aims and not aware of it, causing their responses to be artificial (demand characteristics).
'Social respectability effect' may mean that respondants tend to be open about those aspects of their behaviour - which makes them conceal the truth as they are afraid of being negatively judged.

Strengths: 
- generates large amounts of quantitative factual data
- can be conducted quite quickly due to the pre-set questions (makes large research quick and easy)
• interviewers can explain the aims and objectives of the research and clarify instructions
- this reduces non-response as well as addressing people's ethical concerns
• structured interviews have better response rates than questionnaires.

Weaknesses: 
• artificial which aren't normally part of everyday reality so it makes it less valid for the target population 
- some people may also only answer partially (interview bias)
• They are inflexible as the interview is schedules and pre-set
- interpretive says argue that this makes it impossible for researchers to pursue any interesting leads that may emerge the course of the interview.
• Because structured interviews are closed  they only measure what the sociologist thinks is important 

Overall, structured interviews are ideal for quick and easy research and are great when interviewing or gathering data for a large amount of people. They are also good for drawing up data and statistics but are not good for in-depth interviews and may give inaccurate responses depending on the participants take on the questions or the response from the interviewer.





]]> 2016-02-10 09:08:33 UTC https://padlet.com/14bromlea/yiz5swsxjzpj/wish/94257188 14bromlea https://padlet.com/14bromlea/yiz5swsxjzpj/wish/94273004 -Variation of unstructured interviews that may involve the interviewer talking to a group/panel of respondents. 
Often used to interview children as they may feel threatened in one-on-one situations but feel reassured with other children around.
May also be used to see the dynamics of how particular groups operate. 

Strengths:
-Can give a truer/more valid picture as their behaviour will only emerge when group is interviewed together.
-Children will feel more comfortable around one another & more open to sharing.
-More in-depth answers may come out as people may bounce off each other.

Weaknesses:
-People may feel pressured to say certain things or act differently due to others around them = less valid.
-Children may become shy around other children and therefore won't say or do what they really want to.


FOCUS GROUPS:
-Where participants are encouraged to talk to each other, usually discussing an issue instead of just giving an answer to a question. First used by market researchers to see how customers responded to different products.
-Participants shown an advert/public information film and asked to discuss certain questions or topics. 
-The researcher relies on the dynamics of the group to keep the conversation going. The sociologist hardly interferes.
-The interactions are usually video taped/recorded. 

Strengths:
-Minimal input from the researcher means validity.
- People feel more comfortable when speaking to peers rather than a formal interview or even knowing they're being interviewed = validity.

Weaknesses:
-One or two big personalities can dominate and influence other participants opinions.
-People may feel pressured to say/do certain things that they wouldn't normally do because of environment/people so will not give a true picture.
-Isn't reliable as people are individuals and will act differently each time.

Evaluation:
Overall, group interviews are a good method if researching groups and interactions between people. However, they can't always be reliable because people act differently and won't always be able to replicate exactly. Although they aren't completely reliable, they are quite valid as they isn't any pressure in focus group studies because people are talking to other people not an interviewer. ]]> 2016-02-10 10:43:19 UTC https://padlet.com/14bromlea/yiz5swsxjzpj/wish/94273004 14bromlea https://padlet.com/14bromlea/yiz5swsxjzpj/wish/94645391 -Unstructured  or informal interview is essentially a guided conversation.
Talk is informal but the interviewer plays an active role in that he or she manages the questions to ensure that the participant keeps to the subject or the research.
-Interviewer does not have a schedule, interviews are rather flexible because though the interviewer has an idea of the topics he or she should be covering, he or she is quiet happy to follow the respondent if it is felt that this might produce useful results.
Successful interviewer will follow up ideas probe responses to previous questions and investigate motives and feelings.
-Interpretivists  sociologist  argue that this type or interview is ethnographic because it is normally carried out in natural setting which makes them feel more comfortable.

Strengths:
-Allow researcher to establish a qualitative interaction with the participant = rapport and trust = subjects open up more and give valid information. 
-Flexible therefore the interviewer is not restricted to a fixed set of questions, allowing them
-To explore and receive more in depth information. 
-Unstructured interviews are seen as suitable for specific groups specifically sensitive groups , people who might be suspicious of or hostile to outsiders, as unstructured interviews allow the interviewer to explain the purpose of the research therefore anonymity and confidentiality is granted resulting in the participant to open up and give more valid responses. 

Weaknesses:
-Unstructured interviews gather a lot of data that consequently means that the interviewer has to be selective in what they choose to be published. 
Which can result in the researcher choosing unconsciously or consciously data that supports their views. 
-Due to there not being ant pre coded answers in the interviews the qualitative dats from those interviews is difficult to analyse and categorise due to its variety. 

Positivist DO NOT LIKE THIS DATA ]]> 2016-02-11 16:29:21 UTC https://padlet.com/14bromlea/yiz5swsxjzpj/wish/94645391 https://padlet.com/14bromlea/yiz5swsxjzpj/wish/94757472 - Many sociological interviews are a mix of both structured and unstructured, with both open and closed questions to allow new ideas to be bought up in an interview depending on what the interviewee says.
-Interviewer usually uses an 'interview guide' which contains a list of questions and topics which need to be covered, usually in a particular order
-Bernard (1988) 
Semi-structured is best used when you won't get more than one chance to interview someone and when you will be sending several interviewers out into the field to collect data. 
- Provide qualatative data

Strengths:
- Can use closed questions to make facts
- Can use open questions to allow clarification of vague answers, jog memories, examples, depth, detail and whether the interviewee is telling the truth
-Unlike unstructured interviews it can be prepared ahead of time 

Weaknesses:
-The reliability of semi-structured is questioned as some interviewees may be probed more so therefore every interview is different so data not strictly comparable
-Not necessarily value free or objective

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