Critiquing Interviewing as a Data Collection Method
Stephen Mago2014, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences
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Abstract
Interviewing is one of the data collection methods which are employed when one adopts the qualitative methodology to conduct research. This article relies on extensive literature review to critique interviewing as a data collection method. Although interviews have various forms and styles, it is important to note that there is no one interview style that fits every occasion or all respondents. The interviewer must work diligently to ensure the validity and reliability of the interview data otherwise, interviewers themselves, can turn out to be weaknesses due to their own bias, subjectivities and lack of interviewing skills. It is also important to note that interviewers themselves become part of the "interviewing picture" by asking questions and responding to the respondent and sometimes even sharing their experiences with interviewees; working with the interview data, selecting from it, interpreting and describing and analysing it regardless of their discipline and dedication in keeping the interview data as the product of the respondent. Weaknesses of interviewing have been both discussed and critiqued from different theoretical perspectives which are "postmodern, feminist, sociolinguistic" "conversation analytic", "ethnomethodological perspectives" and even data analysis.
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Research is a scholastic attempt that helps to establish revised view about the particular area adopting pre-requisite procedure to establish authenticity without it research’s purpose shall not be achieved. In this regard, smart academic work is required because it demands different processes to pass on. Clifford Woody explains research in a way that it encompasses describing and re-describing troubles, devising assumption or suggesting solutions; bringing information together, putting them in order and assessing data; making supposition for attainment of conclusion and above all carefully examining the conclusions to ensure whether these come out to be fit for making hypothesis. The educational research work involves the student to seek the required guidance in congregation substance and organize them systematically. Using interview method for assimilating the required records is the useful way which may be suitable to exact problem, using data, questionnaires and conducting careful tests, preserving facts, categorising it and thereby interpreting it. After recognizing and identifying the problems, the researcher tries to figure out investigational plan to collect the desired facts in effective manner. In this paper, interview method has chosen for collection of data. Like other research tools, it is also a very important for the research purpose. This method comprises numerous types, among them few of which are discussed in this article. The interview method involves presentation of oral-verbal stimuli with respect to the change of different responses. This method offers variety of interviews as discussed in paper which help to acquire exact information required.
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