Sociology
The usefulness of interviews in Sociological Research
In assessing the usefulness of interviews within sociological research it is noted that sociology is an academic discipline and such it requires a methodology to reach conclusions thus it must have ways of producing and analysing data in order to test theories(Haralambos and Halborn 1995:808) Two main methods of data collection exist within sociological research these are quantitative and qualitative methods.
Quantitative methods are favoured by the positivist scientific researcher who is concerned with high reliability therefore they generate information through numbers and statistic. With large numbers the quantitative person feels justified in making generalizations in society at large they use tools such as questionnaires and surveys the best example being the Census. A structured interview will also be accepted by the positivist because larger numbers may be generated.
Qualitative researchers or social action interpretivists are interested in Validity or meaningful understand they therefore collect information through the spoken word of language and observation
Interviews follow a number of forms which can either be structured or unstructured. Interviews take a number of forms depending on how structured they are. They tend to be flexible tools that can be used in various ways in the study of different social groups. The most common form of interview that tends to be used are formal and informal or structured and unstructured. However some interviewers do tend to combine the two methods. Other interviews may take the form of a group interview or it can arise as a result of participant observation. The usefulness of a type of interview is usually determined in relation to which is best suited in providing the necessary data that a sociologist wants to gather. A structured interview involves a questionnaire being delivered by an interviewer, these are fixed list of questions that will be asked to all
In assessing the usefulness of interviews within sociological research it is noted that sociology is an academic discipline and such it requires a methodology to reach conclusions thus it must have ways of producing and analysing data in order to test theories(Haralambos and Halborn 1995:808) Two main methods of data collection exist within sociological research these are quantitative and qualitative methods.
Quantitative methods are favoured by the positivist scientific researcher who is concerned with high reliability therefore they generate information through numbers and statistic. With large numbers the quantitative person feels justified in making generalizations in society at large they use tools such as questionnaires and surveys the best example being the Census. A structured interview will also be accepted by the positivist because larger numbers may be generated.
Qualitative researchers or social action interpretivists are interested in Validity or meaningful understand they therefore collect information through the spoken word of language and observation
Interviews follow a number of forms which can either be structured or unstructured. Interviews take a number of forms depending on how structured they are. They tend to be flexible tools that can be used in various ways in the study of different social groups. The most common form of interview that tends to be used are formal and informal or structured and unstructured. However some interviewers do tend to combine the two methods. Other interviews may take the form of a group interview or it can arise as a result of participant observation. The usefulness of a type of interview is usually determined in relation to which is best suited in providing the necessary data that a sociologist wants to gather. A structured interview involves a questionnaire being delivered by an interviewer, these are fixed list of questions that will be asked to all
Bibliography: Haralambos, M. and Halborn, M. (1995) sociology Themes and Perspectives, Fourth Edition. Collins Educational Sutton, P (2009) Anthony Giddenns, sixth edition. Italy Rotolito Lomabarda