Comparing Structured and Unstructured Interviews in Psychology

This assignment delves into the comparison between structured and unstructured interviews, crucial tools in psychological research. It explores the practical aspects, strengths, and weaknesses of each method, highlighting their applications in data collection. The structured interview, with its predetermined questions, is contrasted with the unstructured approach, which allows for more flexibility. The assignment discusses the reliability, validity, and ethical considerations associated with each technique, providing insights into their effectiveness. The document also covers the use of observation as a data collection method, outlining its benefits and drawbacks, and the importance of ethical considerations. Furthermore, the assignment provides a conclusion summarizing the importance of selecting the appropriate interview method based on the research objectives and the need for ethical practices in the field of psychology.

Explaining structured interview and
unstructured observation

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................3
Structured and unstructured interview........................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
The structured interview is the type of interview in which interviewer asks a particular
sets of predetermined question. On the other side, unstructured observation refers to a technique
used in the observation as the devise in order to collect primary market research data.
TASK 4
Structured and unstructured interview.
Basis Structured interview/observation Unstructured
interview/observation
Practical issues Asking the wrong questions.
Inconsistency between candidates.
Early in the field work.
Several conversations.
Sampling Subject group Feasible small sample
Reliability Fixed sets of closed questions.
Easy to test.
Short amount of time.
Low reliability
Terrible interview
Non directive interview
Subjectivity/
objectivity
To ensure that each interview if
presented with exactly the same
questions in the same order.
Purpose of collecting data
pertaining to cognitive processes.
Validity Has the higher validity
Proper and standard standardized
evaluation guidelines.
Difficult to draw plan
Loss of reliability
Ethical issues Informed the content about participate
in the study.
Not obtaining about the subject
Security is more confidentiality.
Strength and weakness of structured and unstructured interview:
Structured interview:
Strength:
 The structured interview is provided the effectiveness and accurate informations to
people (Koskei and Simiyu, 2015).

 This provides the proper legal protection.
Weakness:
 Very little rapport. Limited assessments as well as tensions.
Unstructured interview:
Strength:
 Better to understand the candidates as compare to structured interview.
 It is very flexible and more comfortable (Salmon, 2015).
Weakness:
 It is very time-consuming.
 There has chances to get diverted from the entire interview.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it had been concluded that the structured interview is important and
effective as compare with unstructured interviewed process for the growth of company is in the
effective manner.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals.
Koskei, B. and Simiyu, C., 2015. Role of interviews, observation, pitfalls and ethical issues in
qualitative research methods. Journal of Educational Policy and Entrepreneurial
Research. 2(3). pp.108-117.
Salmon, J., 2015. Using observational methods in nursing research. Nursing Standard. 29(45).
pp.36-41.