Positivists

• Positivists argue that qualitative methods do not achieve validity as they are too subjective
• Semi/un structured interviews reduce validity as the researchers ask leading questions that distort the answers they get.  
• Social desirability reduce validity as the respondent may answer in a way that makes themselves look good, or say what they think the researcher wants to hear.  
• Interviewer effect decreases validity as the social characteristics (ethnicity, gender, age, social class) of the interviewer has an effect on how the interviewee answers the questions