PG52-58 Qualitative Research Methods: Strengths and Limitations

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What is a key strength of unstructured interviews?

Allowing the researcher to pre-judge what data is important

Encouraging respondents to talk freely in their own words (correct)

Limiting the researcher's input to reflect their interests

Controlling the direction and flow of the conversation

What skill is required for carrying out unstructured interviews effectively?

Allowing the conversation to lead into irrelevant areas

Controlling the direction of the interview

Resisting the temptation to influence or interrupt (correct)

Influencing and interrupting the respondents

Why is establishing a strong understanding with respondents important in unstructured interviews?

To pre-judge what data is relevant

To encourage respondents to talk freely and explore sensitive issues (correct)

To control the flow of the conversation

To ensure the research takes place in a formal setting

What is a limitation of unstructured interviews?

The conversation may lead into irrelevant areas Signup and view all the answers

How can unstructured interviews be likened to a conversation?

The conversation may flow naturally without strict direction Signup and view all the answers

Why do unstructured interviews require considerable skill from the researcher?

To resist influencing and interrupting respondents Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main limitations of interviews mentioned in the text?

Interviews are too time-consuming and generate too much data Signup and view all the answers

What is a key strength of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

They enable the researcher to discover new ideas and information from the respondent Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

They require advanced skills from the researcher that are difficult to develop Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential problem with the validity of interview data?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of using focus groups in group interviews according to the text?

To prevent gender and class variables from affecting the data Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

They lack standardization, making data analysis difficult Signup and view all the answers

What is a key strength of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

They enable the researcher to discover new ideas and information from the respondent Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of interviews in general mentioned in the text?

They lack standardization and reliability Signup and view all the answers

What is a key purpose of using open-ended questions in semi-structured interviews according to the text?

To enable the researcher to discover new ideas and information from the respondent Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of group interviews mentioned in the text?

They lack standardization and reliability Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key factors for the success of group interviews?

Having advance (predetermined) questions for exploration Signup and view all the answers

Why do proponents of group interviews argue that they are more realistic?

As social life involves interactions with others Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation associated with group interviews?

Risk of 'Groupthink' influencing responses Signup and view all the answers

What observational method is based on the idea that data are more valid when gathered by observing behavior directly?

Participant observation Signup and view all the answers

What concept is still widely used and attributed to Max Weber in sociology?

'Verstehen' (empathy) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for a researcher to control the behavior of a group during interviews?

To allow people to speak freely while maintaining focus Signup and view all the answers

Why does Max Weber reject the idea of social facts to be discovered?

He focuses on understanding meanings attached to actions Signup and view all the answers

What is the 'desired outcome' that group participants may feel pressured to arrive at during an interview?

Stating what they believe others want to hear Signup and view all the answers

What did Harriet Martineau contribute to the field of sociology?

She conducted her own research while traveling around the United States. Signup and view all the answers

What did Harriet Martineau advocate for?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What role does sponsorship play in social research, as exemplified by Venkatesh's study?

Sponsorship helps researchers gain access to groups for study. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of overt observation in social research?

People being observed may alter their behavior due to awareness of the observer. Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of clearly defining the observer's role in social research?

It reduces the risk of unethical or dangerous behavior by researchers. Signup and view all the answers

Why might a researcher struggle to conduct overt observation research?

High costs and significant time investment required. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of a researcher 'going native' in their studied group?

'Going native' can lead to a deeper understanding of the group but reduce objectivity. Signup and view all the answers

'Going native' refers to what phenomenon in social research?

'Going native' indicates becoming too involved in a group and losing objectivity. Signup and view all the answers

'Theoretical criticisms focus on which effect related to social research observations?

'Theoretical criticisms focus on the Hawthorne effect.' Signup and view all the answers

'Sponsorship' in social research primarily aids researchers in what aspect?

'Sponsorship' assists researchers in gaining entry to groups for study purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason Goffman was able to covertly observe the mental institution, despite not being a doctor or mentally ill?

He took a manual job within the institution Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is one limitation of covert participant observation that Goffman identified?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason the passage suggests it may be difficult for a covert participant observer to leave a group they have joined?

Both a and b Signup and view all the answers

What is one limitation of covert participant observation mentioned in the passage that prevents the research from being easily replicated?

The researcher cannot take notes or openly record conversations Signup and view all the answers

According to the passage, what is a key challenge a covert participant observer faces in staying integrated with a group they are studying?

Both a and c Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between overt participant observation and covert participant observation?

In overt participation, the subjects are aware of being studied, while covert participation involves observing behavior secretly. Signup and view all the answers

Why might covert observation be necessary in research according to the text?

To study people who would not allow themselves to be researched. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential benefit of covert participant observation for researchers?

Avoiding the observer effect on subjects' behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of overt participant observation mentioned in the text?

The researcher becomes too involved and 'becomes the story'. Signup and view all the answers

How does covert observation contribute to avoiding bias in research according to the text?

By avoiding influencing subjects' behaviors due to the observer effect. Signup and view all the answers

What is one strength of overt participant observation highlighted in the text?

Gaining valuable insights into meanings within a group. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it challenging for researchers to accurately record behavior during overt participant observation?

Because no researcher can record everything that happens during observations. Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario might covert participant observation be particularly useful according to the text?

When studying people who would not allow themselves to be researched. Signup and view all the answers

PG52-58 Qualitative Research Methods: Strengths and Limitations

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Questions and Answers

What is a key strength of unstructured interviews?

What skill is required for carrying out unstructured interviews effectively?

Why is establishing a strong understanding with respondents important in unstructured interviews?

What is a limitation of unstructured interviews?

How can unstructured interviews be likened to a conversation?

Why do unstructured interviews require considerable skill from the researcher?

What is one of the main limitations of interviews mentioned in the text?

What is a key strength of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

What is a key limitation of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

What is a potential problem with the validity of interview data?

What is the main purpose of using focus groups in group interviews according to the text?

What is a key limitation of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

What is a key strength of semi-structured interviews mentioned in the text?

What is a key limitation of interviews in general mentioned in the text?

What is a key purpose of using open-ended questions in semi-structured interviews according to the text?

What is a key limitation of group interviews mentioned in the text?

What is one of the key factors for the success of group interviews?

Why do proponents of group interviews argue that they are more realistic?

What is one limitation associated with group interviews?

What observational method is based on the idea that data are more valid when gathered by observing behavior directly?

What concept is still widely used and attributed to Max Weber in sociology?

Why is it important for a researcher to control the behavior of a group during interviews?

Why does Max Weber reject the idea of social facts to be discovered?

What is the 'desired outcome' that group participants may feel pressured to arrive at during an interview?

What did Harriet Martineau contribute to the field of sociology?

What did Harriet Martineau advocate for?

What role does sponsorship play in social research, as exemplified by Venkatesh's study?

What is a limitation of overt observation in social research?

What is one advantage of clearly defining the observer's role in social research?

Why might a researcher struggle to conduct overt observation research?

What is a potential consequence of a researcher 'going native' in their studied group?

'Going native' refers to what phenomenon in social research?

'Theoretical criticisms focus on which effect related to social research observations?

'Sponsorship' in social research primarily aids researchers in what aspect?

What is the primary reason Goffman was able to covertly observe the mental institution, despite not being a doctor or mentally ill?

According to the passage, what is one limitation of covert participant observation that Goffman identified?

What is one reason the passage suggests it may be difficult for a covert participant observer to leave a group they have joined?

What is one limitation of covert participant observation mentioned in the passage that prevents the research from being easily replicated?

According to the passage, what is a key challenge a covert participant observer faces in staying integrated with a group they are studying?

What is a key difference between overt participant observation and covert participant observation?

Why might covert observation be necessary in research according to the text?

What is a potential benefit of covert participant observation for researchers?

What is a key limitation of overt participant observation mentioned in the text?

How does covert observation contribute to avoiding bias in research according to the text?

What is one strength of overt participant observation highlighted in the text?

Why is it challenging for researchers to accurately record behavior during overt participant observation?

In what scenario might covert participant observation be particularly useful according to the text?

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