Unstructured - Qualitative & Primary

• What type of interviews are informal/unstructured interviews classified as?

  Qualitative and primary
• What are the theoretical advantages of informal/unstructured interviews according to interpretivists and feminists?

  They provide highly valid data
• What are the theoretical disadvantages of informal/unstructured interviews according to positivists?

  They have low reliability and lack objectivity
• What is the definition of informal/unstructured interviews?

  Open-ended questioning lasting a long time, producing qualitative data
• How are informal/unstructured interviews typically carried out?

  They have no pre-set questions and follow a loose interview schedule
• Why is flexibility important in informal/unstructured interviews?

  It allows respondents to decide what is important and lead the interview
• What is a common method of recording informal/unstructured interviews?

  By tape or video
• Why do feminists and interpretivists favor informal/unstructured interviews?

  They allow for the collection of highly valid data
• How did Dobash & Dobash build rapport with their interviewees?

  By spending a great deal of time in the refuges
• What is the significance of exploring the interviewee's view in informal/unstructured interviews?

  It increases validity by allowing the interviewee to express what they find important
• How does the lack of preset questions affect the findings of informal/unstructured interviews?

  It allows for deeper exploration but makes replication difficult
• What can be gained from in-depth findings in informal/unstructured interviews?

  Motives, emotions, reasons, meanings, and feelings
• How long can interviews in the Dobash & Dobash study last?

  Up to 12 hours
• How do informal interviews help in checking understanding during the interview process?

  They allow for clarification of questions and answers
• What did Davies find useful about informal interviews with prisoners?

  They clarified the use of slang/street language
• What is a potential drawback of the clarification process in informal interviews?

  It can reduce the objectivity of the study
• What is the main advantage of flexibility in informal interviews?

  It allows the interviewer to follow up on interesting discussion points
• Why do positivists not favor informal/unstructured interviews?

  They produce findings that are low in reliability
• What makes informal interviews unique compared to structured interviews?

  Each interview is unique with no preset or standardized questions
• What is a consequence of the lack of objectivity in informal interviews?

  Interviewer bias may affect the results
• How can the interviewer's presence affect the results of informal interviews?

  It may lead to leading questions and bias in responses
• What is a potential issue with bias during the analysis process of informal interviews?

  The researcher may decide what is important from lengthy transcripts
• Why is quantification difficult in informal interviews?

  They have no closed questions, making quantitative data hard to generate
• What is a consequence of the small sample size in informal interviews?

  It makes it difficult to generalize or get a representative sample
• What is a concern regarding inequalities in power and status during informal interviews?

  They can lower validity if interviewees feel pressured to provide certain answers
• How can gender and ethnic differences affect informal interviews?

  They can distort findings and lead to invalid results
• What type of interviews are discussed in the study material?

  Informal/unstructured interviews
• Why are informal interviews considered time-consuming?

  They typically last a number of hours and involve open-ended questioning.
• What is a characteristic of the questioning approach in informal interviews?

  It adopts an open-ended questioning approach.
• Why might it be difficult to interview a group of homeless individuals?

  Due to issues like time lost and interviewee and interviewer fatigue.
• What is a challenge in analyzing qualitative data from informal interviews?

  The qualitative data produced is time-consuming to analyze as transcripts must be written up and thematic analysis conducted.
• What is required more for informal interviews compared to structured interviews?

  More training is needed.
• Why do informal interviews require skilled interviewers?

  Interviewers must think on their feet, guide the interview, build rapport, and use non-judgmental language.
• What is a potential cost associated with informal interviews?

  It can be costly to train new researchers to carry out the interviews.
• What is a challenge related to access in informal interviews?

  Access can be difficult because the group may be in protected or hidden environments.
• Why might victims of domestic violence be hard to interview?

  They may be in refuges which are very difficult to access.
• What is a concern when recording interviews with criminals?

  Those involved in crime may feel that the data could be used against them.
• What must the interviewer ensure regarding the publication of research findings?

  The research must not harm the individual or group involved.
• What ethical dilemma is raised by revealing personal knowledge in research?

  It raises the ethical dilemma of revealing personal knowledge to the public.
• What must be avoided to prevent exploitation of the interviewee?

  The researcher must avoid prying too much and creating anxiety or distress.