Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is a key characteristic that distinguishes semi-structured interviews from unstructured interviews?
Which of the following is a key characteristic that distinguishes semi-structured interviews from unstructured interviews?
- The absence of any pre-set interview questions.
- The interviewer is disallowed from asking follow up questions.
- The use of a flexible, conversational approach.
- Reliance on pre-determined open ended questions. (correct)
Unstructured interviews are particularly well-suited for generalizing findings to a larger population due to their standardized format.
Unstructured interviews are particularly well-suited for generalizing findings to a larger population due to their standardized format.
False (B)
In group interviews, what is a significant limitation related to data transcription and analysis?
In group interviews, what is a significant limitation related to data transcription and analysis?
difficulty in transcribing when participants talk over each other
In participant observation, a researcher's presence potentially altering the behavior of the studied group is known as the ______ effect.
In participant observation, a researcher's presence potentially altering the behavior of the studied group is known as the ______ effect.
Match each qualitative research method with its primary strength:
Match each qualitative research method with its primary strength:
What is a key ethical consideration that must be addressed when conducting covert participant observation?
What is a key ethical consideration that must be addressed when conducting covert participant observation?
Non-participant observation always involves direct interaction between the researcher and the subjects being studied.
Non-participant observation always involves direct interaction between the researcher and the subjects being studied.
What term do interpretivists use to describe the detailed understanding of internal meanings and daily practices gained through participant observation?
What term do interpretivists use to describe the detailed understanding of internal meanings and daily practices gained through participant observation?
A group member who assists a researcher in gaining access and trust within a studied group is known as a key ______.
A group member who assists a researcher in gaining access and trust within a studied group is known as a key ______.
Match each perspective with its preferred methods and data type in qualitative research:
Match each perspective with its preferred methods and data type in qualitative research:
Which of the following is a primary benefit of using group interviews in qualitative research?
Which of the following is a primary benefit of using group interviews in qualitative research?
Structured observation is favored by interpretivists due to its emphasis on natural, descriptive data.
Structured observation is favored by interpretivists due to its emphasis on natural, descriptive data.
What type of observation involves the researcher becoming a member of the group they are studying?
What type of observation involves the researcher becoming a member of the group they are studying?
Researchers may conduct ______ observation in public settings if there is no risk to participants and their privacy isn't violated.
Researchers may conduct ______ observation in public settings if there is no risk to participants and their privacy isn't violated.
Match each qualitative research method with it's data focus.
Match each qualitative research method with it's data focus.
What is the primary focus of qualitative research methods?
What is the primary focus of qualitative research methods?
In overt participant observation, the researcher's identity and purpose are concealed from the group being studied.
In overt participant observation, the researcher's identity and purpose are concealed from the group being studied.
What is a primary limitation of unstructured observation regarding data interpretation?
What is a primary limitation of unstructured observation regarding data interpretation?
Positivists prioritize ______ in research, while interpretivists prioritize validity.
Positivists prioritize ______ in research, while interpretivists prioritize validity.
Which qualitative data gathering methods produce verbal or visual data?
Which qualitative data gathering methods produce verbal or visual data?
Flashcards
Qualitative Research
Qualitative Research
Focuses on meanings, experiences, and understanding using verbal or visual data.
Semi-Structured Interview
Semi-Structured Interview
An interview using a standard set of questions, allowing the interviewer to ask for more detail.
Unstructured Interview
Unstructured Interview
An interview like a guided conversation, based on topics rather than a fixed script.
Group Interviews
Group Interviews
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Participant Observation
Participant Observation
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Key Informant
Key Informant
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Observer Effect
Observer Effect
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Non-Participant Observation
Non-Participant Observation
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Interpretivist View
Interpretivist View
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Positivist View
Positivist View
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Study Notes
- Qualitative research produces verbal or visual data, focusing on meanings, experiences, and understanding.
Key Qualitative Methods
- Semi-structured interviews
- Unstructured interviews
- Group interviews / Focus groups
- Participant and non-participant observation
Semi-Structured Interviews
- Based on a standard set of questions, but allows interviewer to probe for further detail.
- Probes differ across interviews, reducing comparability.
- Adds depth to responses.
- Combines consistency with flexibility.
Unstructured Interviews
- Guided conversation-style interviews are based on topics or prompts, not a fixed script, and are informal, open-ended, and flexible.
- Participants can express their viewpoints discovering complex meanings.
- Builds rapport and trust, especially useful for sensitive topics or hard-to-access groups.
- Limitations include interviewer bias due to social characteristics.
- Responses vary between interviews, leading to low comparability and difficulty replicating or generalising findings.
- Participants may present themselves in socially desirable ways.
- Produces rich, valid, in-depth data.
Group Interviews
- Interviewing multiple participants at once is efficient and encourages open discussion
- Can produce new research ideas, and participants may feel more comfortable.
- Opportunity for follow-up interviews.
- Participants may influence one another, with dominant voices overshadowing others.
- Transcription is difficult if people talk over each other.
- Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.
- May drift into unexpected topics; some may feel pressured to stay.
- Focus groups are a type of group interview, concentrating on one topic, guided by a moderator.
Participant Observation
- The researcher joins the group being studied; this can be covert (hidden) or overt (open).
- Key informants are group members who help the researcher gain access and trust.
- The observer effect is how the researcher’s presence may alter behaviour
- Provides an insider’s view, helping to understand internal meanings and daily practices.
- Natural setting offers high validity, capturing the complexities and meanings of social life.
- It is hard to gain access, especially with secretive or illegal groups and is time-consuming, physically/emotionally demanding
- There is a risk of loss of objectivity and is hard to replicate or generalise, often unstructured and non-quantifiable.
- Interpretivists favour this method.
- Griffin (1960) posed as a Black man in a covert example
- Venkatesh (2009) was supported by a gang leader in an overt example
Non-Participant Observation
- The researcher observes without joining in activities and can be structured (quantitative, pre-set schedule) or unstructured (qualitative, descriptive).
- For unstructured observation, the researcher is less likely to influence participants’ behaviour, offering natural, descriptive data.
- The observer lacks contextual understanding and is more likely to impose personal interpretations.
- Hard to replicate and has limited reliability, but interpretivists value the method.
- Structured observation, favored by positivists, uses an observation schedule, making replication easier, allowing for quantification and comparison.
Ethical Considerations
- Covert observation may violate ethical norms due to lack of informed consent.
- Overt observation faces challenges of observer effect and gaining access.
- Public settings may permit covert observation if no risk to participants.
Interpretivist vs Positivist Perspectives
| Aspect | Interpretivist View | Positivist View |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred Methods | Unstructured interviews, participant observation | Questionnaires, structured interviews, structured observation |
| Data Type | Qualitative | Quantitative |
| Focus | Meanings, perspectives, depth | Patterns, reliability, generalisability |
| Validity Priority | High | Secondary |
| Reliability Priority | Less important | Very important |
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