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Interview - GCSE Sociology Definition

Reviewed by: Raj Bonsor

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In the context of GCSE Sociology, an interview is a qualitative research method used to gather detailed information by directly asking individuals questions.

Interviews can be structured, with a set list of predetermined questions; semi-structured, allowing for some flexibility in responses; or unstructured, resembling an open-ended conversation. This method allows sociologists to explore participants' attitudes, beliefs, and experiences in depth, providing rich, descriptive data that can offer insights into social behaviours and phenomena.

Students should understand that interviews can be time-consuming but valuable for understanding the social world from the perspective of the interviewee.

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Raj Bonsor

Reviewer: Raj Bonsor

Expertise: Psychology & Sociology Content Creator

Raj joined Save My Exams in 2024 as a Senior Content Creator for Psychology & Sociology. Prior to this, she spent fifteen years in the classroom, teaching hundreds of GCSE and A Level students. She has experience as Subject Leader for Psychology and Sociology, and her favourite topics to teach are research methods (especially inferential statistics!) and attachment. She has also successfully taught a number of Level 3 subjects, including criminology, health & social care, and citizenship.

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