Question 1

Quinn is conducting a study of parents of deployed armed forces members. During at-home interviews, he asks participants to look through photos of their children and choose ones that are significant to them. He then asks probing questions that encourage the participants to explain why the photos are significant and what memories the photos bring up. Quinn is using an interview technique known as ________.
A) interview validation
B) snowball sampling
C) photo interviews
D) photo elicitation

Accepted Answer

Quinn is using photo elicitation, a method where photographs are used during interviews to stimulate discussion, memories, and emotional responses from participants. This technique helps in gaining deeper insights than what might be achieved through traditional interview methods alone.

Question 2

Elizabeth is interested in studying how office workers think about and experience the glass ceiling in private-sector businesses. She designs an interview script and conducts standardized interviews because she is fairly certain she knows what to expect based on her background literature review of similar studies. After a few days of interviews, she runs into several participants in the washroom who are discussing their experiences with sexism much more candidly. When she asks why they didn't share this information before, they told her that her questions didn't feel like they captured their particular experiences and they weren't sure they could provide additional info if not asked. With regard to standardized interviews, this scenario tells us ________.
A) why feminist researchers question the effectiveness of standardized interviews to shed light on women's lived experiences
B) that standardized interviews achieve greater consistency when studying the lived experiences of all genders
C) why standardized interviews are better suited for public-sector research
D) that standardized interviews are more efficient for collecting data

Accepted Answer

Standardized interviews may not always capture the nuanced and personal experiences of individuals, particularly in contexts like studying sexism or the glass ceiling, where lived experiences can vary greatly and be deeply personal. This scenario illustrates the limitations of standardized interviews in capturing the full range of women's experiences, supporting the feminist critique of such methods for not being flexible enough to explore deeply personal and varied experiences.

Question 3

In general, interviews that collect standardized data from large numbers of respondents reflect a positivist approach to research.

Accepted Answer

Positivist research methods focus on quantifiable observations and often involve structured tools like surveys or interviews to collect data from many participants, aiming for objectivity and generalizability.

Question 4

With closed-ended or forced-choice questions, the respondent is given a number of options to choose from, one being "other," which allows him or her to elaborate on an answer that is not on the prepared list.

Accepted Answer

Closed-ended or forced-choice questions limit responses to the options provided, and including an "other" option with space for elaboration effectively makes the question partially open-ended, not purely closed-ended.

Question 5

The example of Will C. van den Hoonaard's "on-the-fly" interview of a cartographer, during which he recorded the information on a paper plate, demonstrates that interviews completed spontaneously in the throes of fieldwork are almost impossible and almost never useful.

Accepted Answer

This example actually illustrates the flexibility and potential usefulness of spontaneous, "on-the-fly" interviews in fieldwork, showing that valuable data can be collected in unconventional ways and settings.

Question 6

J. Peter Rothe undermined the hierarchy of credibility in his study on the experiences of older drivers who had been in serious car accidents by interviewing the physiotherapists (who aided the old drivers back to health) about the challenges these drivers faced.

Accepted Answer

J. Peter Rothe's study on older drivers who had been in serious car accidents focused on the drivers' own experiences and perspectives, rather than interviewing physiotherapists or other healthcare professionals about them.

Question 7

One way of identifying potential interview participants is through organizations they are familiar with.

Accepted Answer

Organizations can provide access to individuals who have specific experiences, expertise, or characteristics relevant to the research topic, making them potential participants for interviews.

Question 8

As the textbook suggests, having approximately ten questions in your interview schedule is often sufficient to conduct a robust and successful interview.

Accepted Answer

Having around ten questions in an interview schedule is often recommended as it allows for depth without overwhelming the interviewee, ensuring a focused and manageable conversation that can cover the core topics effectively.

Question 9

In an interview setting, there is often an intrinsic sense of reciprocity between the interviewer and interviewee. Thus, if the interviewee asks the interviewer questions, they should be prepared to share personal details about themselves.

Accepted Answer

The question states that there is an intrinsic sense of reciprocity between the interviewer and interviewee, meaning that if the interviewee asks the interviewer questions, they should be prepared to share personal details about themselves.

Question 10

Although questionable from an ethical standpoint, the use of probes on interviewees is a very efficient way to get answers to questions that make respondents uncomfortable.

Accepted Answer

Using probes on interviewees, especially in a manner that makes them uncomfortable, is not only ethically questionable but can also lead to inaccurate responses, as respondents may provide answers they think the interviewer wants to hear, or they may shut down completely. Effective interviewing techniques prioritize respect, consent, and the comfort of the interviewee to ensure reliable and ethical data collection.

Question 11

One of the easiest and most unproblematic ways to identify interview participants is to get the support of a person in power, such as a warden in a prison or supervisor in a nursing home.

Accepted Answer

While getting support from a person in power can facilitate access to potential participants, it does not necessarily make the identification process easy or unproblematic. It can introduce biases, affect voluntary participation, and raise ethical concerns regarding consent and coercion.

Question 12

In an in-depth interview, the researcher will want to avoid questions about the interviewee's opinions or values.

Accepted Answer

In an in-depth interview, the researcher often seeks to understand the interviewee's opinions, values, and perspectives on the subject matter, making such questions crucial for gaining comprehensive insights.

Question 13

Standardized interviews are the best type of interview to use when conducting research with Indigenous communities.

Accepted Answer

Standardized interviews may not always be the best approach for conducting research with Indigenous communities due to the importance of flexibility, cultural sensitivity, and the need to respect oral traditions and community-specific contexts. Participatory methods and approaches that allow for open dialogue and respect cultural norms are often more appropriate.

Question 14

Qualitative researchers choose to interview people who can provide the greatest insight into the topic at hand.

Accepted Answer

Qualitative researchers often select participants who have deep knowledge or experience related to the topic of study, as these individuals can provide rich, detailed insights that are valuable for understanding complex issues.

Question 15

Briefly explain the argument the author of your textbook makes about in-depth interviews through her discussion of interviewing a widow.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly explain the argument the author of...

Question 16

Describe the difference between a semi-structured and an unstructured interview.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the difference between a semi-structured and...

Question 17

Identify the three ways, according to the textbook, interviews differ from conversations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify the three ways, according to the...

Question 18

Briefly explain how, in her own research, the author of the textbook employed the active interview process, and what information she garnered from using such a method.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly explain how, in her own research,...

Question 19

The author gives a pseudo "check list" of four points to remember when conducting an interview. Select any three and briefly discuss each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The author gives a pseudo "check list"...

Question 20

Briefly describe how Heather Castleden et al. (2008) adapted photovoice to carry out research on the "meanings Indigenous peoples attribute to particular 'resources'." Explain how Castleden avoided the mistakes other Western researchers have previously made.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly describe how Heather Castleden et al....

Quiz 6: In-Depth Interviewing