Answer to Question #264839 in Sociology for LEE

Question

The qualitative research interview is an important data collection tool for a variety of methods used within research. Critically discuss the process of interviewing in qualitative social research including its limitations. Your answer should include an introduction, a main discussion, a conclusion, in-text references and a reference list.You answer should be between 900-1200 words, i.e. three (3) – four (4) pages.At least 4 references should be used.

 

(10 marks will be awarded for the content and insight of your discussion, 10 marks for analyses, synthesis, application and argument and 5 marks for the structure, language, spelling, technical care of your essay, referencing techniques and quality and appropriateness of sources).

Answer 1

For qualitative researchers, the most widely employed tool for collecting information is interviews. As individuals, we mostly engage in a form of interview on a daily basis, either as interviewers or interviewees. In some cases, qualitative interviews are referred to as extensive or in-depth interviews. Because the researcher has a specific subject for the respondent, these interviews are called semi-structured, but questions are open-ended and may not be asked in the same way or sequence. The fundamental objective of an in-depth interview is to learn what respondents think is essential about the subject at hand in their own words. We'll look at how to conduct qualitative interviews, evaluate interview data, and the method's strengths and shortcomings in this part.

Qualitative interviews have several shortcomings, including confidence on respondents' correctness and their intensity in terms of time, cost, and potential emotional strain.

Qualitative interviews studies can be very costly as well as time-consuming. The process of creating an interview guide, identifying a sample, and conducting interviews is only the beginning. Transcribing interviews is time-consuming and that's before you start coding.

Qualitative interviews can cause biases. For example, the respondent’s answers can be affected by his or her reaction to the interviewer’s race, class, age or physical appearance.

Lastly, qualitative interviews provide less anonymity, which is a big concern for many respondents.