Sociology · May / June 2019 · Paper 12 · Question 1

Source A Feminist researchers are often concerned that the balance of power between the researcher and respondent is likely to affect any data gathered. They argue that the interviewer and the interviewee should be seen as equals in the research process. Feminists prefer unstructured interviews which give time and space for the interviewee to offer their views. In structured interviews the interviewer is the one in control, they direct the questioning and record the data. In unstructured interviews the interviewees describe their experiences in their own words with the interviewer acting only as a guide. This is why feminists prefer to use unstructured interviews. Feminists also like to use focus groups in their research. Positivists select objective methods that avoid interviewer bias but feminists reject this approach. Instead feminists claim that developing a relationship with respondents is an essential part of establishing trust and respect. Positivists also argue that unstructured interviews are very difficult to repeat.

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