Limitations

• (T) Invalidity

  • Interprevists argue they paint a false picture of subjects they are trying to study
  • often use close ended questions that restrict respondents to choosing from a limited number of pre set answers . If none of the answers reflect respondents views the data will be invalid (pigeon holing)
• Invalidity (2)

  • gives participants little freedom to explain questions or clarify misunderstandings
  • people may lie or exaggerate . responses will produce false invalid data ( social desirability)
• (T) Lack of verstehen

  • dont allow researcher to gain empathetic insight . Researcher remains objective , unable to gain understanding of participants experiences of a social world.
• (P) Inflexibility

  • suffer from inflexibity that comes from having to draw up the questions in advance .
  • researcher has already decided what is important (might not coincide with what respondent deems to be important )
  • findings may lack validty because they dont reflect respondents concerns and priorities