Question 1: Define what is meant by a 'structured interview' in sociological research.

Answer: A structured interview is a method where the interviewer asks the same set of predetermined questions in the same order to all participants, often using closed-ended questions.

Question 2: Explain one advantage and one disadvantage of using unstructured interviews.

Answer: Advantages: They allow for more open, detailed responses and can explore topics in depth. Disadvantages: They can be time-consuming and may lead to interviewer bias.

Question 3: Describe a scenario where a sociologist might choose to use a close-ended interview question rather than an open-ended one.

Answer: When the researcher wants to collect quantitative data quickly and easily analyze responses, such as asking participants whether they agree or disagree with a statement using yes/no options.

Question 4: List two ethical considerations a sociologist must take into account when conducting interviews.

Answer: Ensuring informed consent and guaranteeing confidentiality and anonymity of participants.

Question 5: What is the main difference between a face-to-face interview and a telephone interview?

Answer: A face-to-face interview involves direct personal contact, allowing for observation of body language, whereas a telephone interview is conducted over the phone without visual cues.

Question 6: Identify one potential bias that could occur in an interview and suggest a way to reduce it.

Answer: Interviewer's bias can influence responses; this can be reduced by training interviewers to remain neutral and avoid leading questions.

Question 7: Draw a simple diagram to show the basic flow of conducting an interview, including the steps from planning to analysis.

Answer: The diagram should include the following steps: Planning (defining aims, designing questions), Conducting (interview), Transcribing (recording responses), Analyzing (interpreting data).

Question 8: Sketch a layout for an interview room that would be suitable for conducting a sociological interview. Label at least three features.

Answer: A comfortable, private room with a table and two chairs facing each other, a recording device or notebook, and good lighting.

Question 9: Discuss why sociologists might choose interviews over surveys for collecting data.

Answer: Interviews allow for deeper exploration of participants' views, clarification of answers, and are more suitable for complex or sensitive topics.

Question 10: Explain how the use of interviews can help sociologists understand social phenomena more effectively than other methods.

Answer: Interviews provide rich, detailed data and allow sociologists to probe deeper into participants' perspectives, feelings, and motivations, which might not be captured by quantitative methods like surveys.