INTERVIEWS

INTERVIEWS

1. Structured/formal interviews

   • Interviewer is given strict instructions on how to ask the questions.
   • This interview is conducted in a standardised way, asking the interviewee the same questions word for word.
   • Reliable data
     • Positivists prefer structured interviews as they are more reliable.
   • Young & Willmott used a structured interview when studying working class families in East London.

2. Unstructured/informal interviews

   • More like a conversation.
     • Builds verstehen (empathy).
   • Interviewer has the freedom to vary questions and ask follow up questions.
   • Dobash and Dobash used unstructed interviews when studying the sensitive topic of domestic violence.
     • Interpretivists prefer unstructured interviews due to them building verstehen.

3. Semi-structured interviews

   • In between a structured and an unstructured interview.
   • Interview has the same set of questions but the interviewer can probe more information.
   • Both positivists and interpretivists would like these type of interviews.

4. Group interviews

   • Several people being interviewed together, at the same time.
   • Willis used group interviews when studying 12 class boys experiences of education.
   • Peer pressure can happen in these sort of interviews, making the validity less accurate.