Types of Interviews in Educational Research
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Questions and Answers

What is a key disadvantage of structured interviews?

  • They foster rapport between the interviewer and respondents.
  • They are less reliable than unstructured interviews.
  • They lack the ability to check understanding of questions. (correct)
  • They allow in-depth exploration of complex issues.

Which of the following is an advantage of unstructured interviews?

  • They ensure high standardization across all interviews.
  • They are quicker to conduct than structured interviews.
  • Respondents cannot go off-topic.
  • They allow for deeper exploration of sensitive topics. (correct)

What is a common drawback of group interviews?

  • They eliminate the possibility of interviewer bias.
  • They can lead respondents to feel pressured into conformity. (correct)
  • They require a large amount of time for each participant.
  • They ensure that all participants stay on topic.

Which research design is favored by positivists?

<p>Structured interviews (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Sue Sharp's research illustrates a potential issue with which type of interview?

<p>Unstructured interviews because of possible interviewer bias. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of using unstructured interviews in research?

<p>They allow for the researcher to gain rapport and obtain more valid answers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Powney & Watts, how do young children typically respond to interview questions?

<p>They are more literal minded and pay attention to unexpected details. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a practical issue when conducting interviews with students?

<p>Students may struggle with unfamiliar vocabulary and concepts. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factor affects the reliability of interviews conducted with young people?

<p>Young people may not respond favorably to a formal interview style. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a concern regarding the power dynamics in interviews with children?

<p>Interviewers may inadvertently take on a ‘teacher’ role, affecting validity. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Structured Interview

Standardized questionnaires with pre-set questions, where the researcher reads the questions and the respondent answers. Favored by positivist researchers who seek objective data.

Unstructured Interview

Similar to a casual conversation, with open-ended questions and flexibility. Favored by interpretivist researchers seeking to explore perspectives.

Group Interview

Groups of respondents interviewed simultaneously, allowing for interaction and shared perspectives. Can provide valuable insights and deeper understanding.

Interviewer Bias

The interviewer's influence on the respondent's answers, potentially leading to biased responses. Can be conscious or unconscious, affecting the validity of data.

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Socially Desirable Answers

When respondents provide answers they believe are expected or socially acceptable, rather than their true feelings.

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Literal Mindedness in Children

Young children tend to take questions literally and focus on unusual details, potentially leading to misunderstandings in research.

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Interviewer Training

The interviewer's experience and training are crucial to conducting effective interviews. They need to understand the child's perspective and avoid leading questions.

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Access and Response Rate Issues

Schools may be hesitant to allow researchers to conduct interviews during class time due to concerns about disruption, sensitive subject matter, and parental permission requirements.

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Interviewer Power Dynamic

The power imbalance between researchers and students can influence the interview process. Students might feel pressured to give socially acceptable answers, affecting the authenticity of the data.

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Study Notes

Types of Interviews in Educational Research

  • Structured Interviews: Pre-set standardized questions. Researcher reads questions; respondent answers. Positivist approach.

  • Advantages: Standardized questioning, High reliability (can contact many people quickly).

  • Disadvantages: Limited depth, Difficult to explore complex issues/opinions, Time-consuming, Can't check respondent understanding.

  • Unstructured Interviews: Conversational, open-ended questions. Interpretivist approach.

  • Advantages: Rapport building, High validity (deeper insight into meaning and attitudes), Especially useful with sensitive groups.

  • Disadvantages: Interviewer bias (socially desirable answers), Less comparable (respondents may stray from topic).

  • Group Interviews (Focus Groups): Interviews with multiple participants.

  • Advantages: Rapport building, Increased validity (participants can contribute to each other’s ideas).

  • Disadvantages: Potential for respondents to stray from topic, Interviewer bias, Costly/training required, Not ideal for sensitive issues.

Applications of Interviews in Education

  • Sue Sharp: Used questionnaires and unstructured interviews to study subject choice.

  • Advantages: Could gain deeper insight into attitudes using unstructured.

  • Disadvantages: Researcher bias (feminist viewpoint and facial expressions possibly led to leading questions).

  • Powney & Watts: Studied young children's responses to interviews.

  • Advantages: Found valid data since young children may have different logic.

  • Disadvantages: Requires trained interviewers, Expensive and complex.

Challenges of Interviews in Educational Research

  • Practical Issues: Student willingness, understanding complex concepts, limited vocabulary require trained interviewers.
  • Reliability: Young people may not respond favourably to formal interviews.
  • Access and Response: Schools may be reluctant to allow interviews during lessons.
  • Interviewer Bias: Interviewers should be aware of potential power/status inequalities.

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Description

This quiz explores various types of interviews used in educational research, including structured, unstructured, and group interviews. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, making it important for researchers to choose the right method for their specific study. Test your knowledge on these techniques and their applications.

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