Sociological Methods Asking questions Interviews Wednesday 14 th

  • Slides: 28
Download presentation
Sociological Methods Asking questions: Interviews, Wednesday 14 th December 2016

Sociological Methods Asking questions: Interviews, Wednesday 14 th December 2016

Recap Sociological Research Primary Data Observation Asking Questions Participant Questionnaires Primary or Secondary Data

Recap Sociological Research Primary Data Observation Asking Questions Participant Questionnaires Primary or Secondary Data Observation Interviews Non-Participant (Structured or Observation Unstructured) Overt /Covert

Lesson Aims 1. Examine the skills needed in order to conduct a good interview

Lesson Aims 1. Examine the skills needed in order to conduct a good interview 2. Identify the main types of interviews used in sociological research 3. Examine the usefulness of interviews in sociological research

TASK: Identify three skills needed for an effective interview 2 mins

TASK: Identify three skills needed for an effective interview 2 mins

Interviews in Sociology Interview Skills: Ø Create rapport and trust with respondents. Leads to

Interviews in Sociology Interview Skills: Ø Create rapport and trust with respondents. Leads to better results Ø Start with very general questions, then more specific questions. Ø Avoid leading questions. © onlineclassroom. tv

Primary Data Types of Interviews Structured Unstructured Pre-set questions No pre-planned Asking Questions (via

Primary Data Types of Interviews Structured Unstructured Pre-set questions No pre-planned Asking Questions (via questionnaire) schedule - more like that are delivered a conversation. face to face or by the telephone

Interviews remain the most common data collection method in qualitative research Interviews are a

Interviews remain the most common data collection method in qualitative research Interviews are a familiar and flexible way of asking people about their opinions and experiences.

Structured Interviews • Structured Interviews are based on a standardised list of prepared questions

Structured Interviews • Structured Interviews are based on a standardised list of prepared questions administered by an interviewer • Questions can be open and closed

Validity vs Reliability

Validity vs Reliability

Structured Interviews: Advantages Ø Standardised data collection. (easy to compare respondents) – can elicit

Structured Interviews: Advantages Ø Standardised data collection. (easy to compare respondents) – can elicit quantitative data Ø High reliability (easy to replicate) Ø Large numbers, quick, cheap.

Structured Interviews: Disadvantages Ø May lack validity. Ø Lack of depth [questions may not

Structured Interviews: Disadvantages Ø May lack validity. Ø Lack of depth [questions may not cover respondent’s experiences]. Ø Lack of flexibility. Ø Meaning problem. (the same question may be interpreted in different ways by your interviewees)

Unstructured interview • Unstructured interviews are like conversations • No pre planned questions •

Unstructured interview • Unstructured interviews are like conversations • No pre planned questions • Questions are added or adapted at the interview progresses.

Strengths Weaknesses 1. Increase validity and depth 3. Time consuming 4. Allows for elaboration

Strengths Weaknesses 1. Increase validity and depth 3. Time consuming 4. Allows for elaboration 7. They give you a better undertsanding of things from the respondent’s point of view 6. Greater flexibility: can lead to the development of new ideas 5. They are only suitable for relatively small samples 8. The interviewer needs to be highly skilled 2. They are unreliable as this method is not standardised

Semi-Structured Interview • The use of some pre-formulated questions, but no strict adherence to

Semi-Structured Interview • The use of some pre-formulated questions, but no strict adherence to them. New questions might emerge during the conversation • Share the same sort of advantages and disadvantages as unstructured interviews

TASK: Worksheet – exam practice 10 mins

TASK: Worksheet – exam practice 10 mins

Limitations of All Interviews: • Interviewer bias – Interviewer may ask leading questions, which

Limitations of All Interviews: • Interviewer bias – Interviewer may ask leading questions, which is more of a danger in unstructured interview as this can influence the answer. Versheten (pronounced ‘ferchaen’) - try to see it from interviewees perspective, prevents the imputing of meanings and values into research • Interview Effect - may give ‘socially expected’ answers. Hawthorne Effect - Changes in the behaviour of participants resulting from an awareness that they are taking part in an experiment/research. • Lack of ecological validity - cannot tell us how people really behave. • Ethical issues – not informing interviewees the real purpose of interview

Group Matching Task Type of interview or issue and a response that goes with

Group Matching Task Type of interview or issue and a response that goes with it 10 mins

EXTENSION TASK: Read the statements at the end of your worksheet and indicate whether

EXTENSION TASK: Read the statements at the end of your worksheet and indicate whether they apply to structured or unstructured interviews 10 mins

Extension Test Name an advantage of collecting quantitative data

Extension Test Name an advantage of collecting quantitative data

Answer It's less likely to be biased

Answer It's less likely to be biased

Test Name a disadvantage of collecting quantitative data

Test Name a disadvantage of collecting quantitative data

Answer It may not produce data which is valid

Answer It may not produce data which is valid

Test What types of interviews are available to researchers?

Test What types of interviews are available to researchers?

Answer Structured, unstructured, semi structured

Answer Structured, unstructured, semi structured

Test What is a problem with participant observation?

Test What is a problem with participant observation?

Answer Going Native

Answer Going Native

Test What is a problem with overt observation?

Test What is a problem with overt observation?

Answer Hawthorne Effect

Answer Hawthorne Effect