Interviews | AQA A-Level Sociology

For Specification 7192

AQA A-Level Sociology | Free Revision Notes

Estimated study time: 40 minutes

Interviews are one of the sources of sociological data that AQA requires you to study within Theory and Methods. Alongside questionnaires, observation, experiments, documents and official statistics, you need to consider how interviews fit into research design [Research design] and how theoretical, practical and ethical considerations can influence the choice and conduct of research.  This Interviews A-Level Sociology revision page develops those connections and helps you evaluate whether interview research is appropriate for different sociological investigations.

Learning Objectives 🎯

By the end of this revision page, you should be able to:

• Explain the use of interviews in sociological research.

• Explain how interviews form part of a wider research design.

• Examine theoretical considerations associated with interview research.

• Examine practical and ethical considerations affecting the use of interviews.

• Apply these considerations to unfamiliar sociological investigations.

• Evaluate the usefulness of interviews as a sociological research method.

These objectives follow Lesson 4 in the Research Methods sequence of the supplied AQA A-Level Sociology plan.

Revision Notes 📚

Interviews A-Level Sociology revision: what does AQA require?

Within A-Level Theory and Methods, students must examine:

• quantitative and qualitative methods of research

• research design

• sources of data, including:

  • questionnaires

  • interviews

  • participant and non-participant observation

  • experiments

  • documents

  • official statistics

• primary and secondary data

• quantitative and qualitative data

• positivism, interpretivism and sociological methods

• the nature of social facts

• theoretical, practical and ethical considerations influencing the choice of topic, choice of method or methods and conduct of research

• the relationship between theory and methods.

Interviews therefore need to be understood as one methodological option within a broader sociological research design.

Your earlier work on quantitative and qualitative approaches [Quantitative and qualitative research] and planning a sociological investigation [Research design] provides the foundation for evaluating interview research.

Important source boundary

The supplied AQA specification identifies interviews as a source of sociological data and requires students to examine theoretical, practical and ethical considerations affecting research.

However, the supplied specification does not give:

• separate definitions of different types of interview

• detailed instructions for conducting interviews

• a list of interview-specific practical advantages and disadvantages

• a list of interview-specific ethical advantages and disadvantages

• a list of interview-specific theoretical strengths and limitations.

The provided source material does not contain enough information to complete detailed interview-specific lists of strengths and limitations accurately.

For that reason, this page keeps the discussion within what can be supported by the specification and supplied lesson plan rather than adding unsupported methodological detail.

Interviews as a sociological research method

AQA explicitly identifies interviews as one of the sources of sociological data students need to study.

An interview can therefore form part of a sociologist's research design when the researcher needs to obtain sociological evidence from participants.

The key examination question is not simply:

What is an interview?

More importantly, you should be able to ask:

Would an interview be an appropriate research method for this particular sociological investigation?

Answering that question involves considering:

• what the sociologist wants to investigate

• the kind of evidence required

• theoretical considerations

• practical considerations

• ethical considerations

• how the investigation will actually be conducted.

Interviews and research design

Choosing interviews is only one decision within the wider research design.

A sociologist might begin with a particular research topic but still need to decide:

1. what exactly they want to discover

2. what type of evidence will help answer the research question

3. whether interviews are an appropriate method

4. whether another method might be more appropriate

5. which theoretical considerations influence the choice

6. what practical considerations affect the investigation

7. what ethical considerations need to be addressed.

AQA makes research design an integral part of methodological study, including consideration of the strengths and limitations of how sociological evidence was obtained.

📌 Key point: An interview should never be evaluated in isolation from the purpose of the research.

Interviews and quantitative and qualitative research

The specification separately requires students to understand:

• quantitative and qualitative methods

• quantitative and qualitative data.

You should therefore distinguish between:

The method:How sociological evidence is obtained.

The data:The information produced or used.

Interviews are a research method identified by AQA. Whether the evidence produced is quantitative or qualitative concerns a separate aspect of the research design.

The supplied specification does not state that interviews always produce one particular type of data.

You should therefore avoid an unsupported statement such as:

"All interviews produce qualitative data."

Instead, examine the actual research design and evidence described in the question.

Your quantitative and qualitative research [Quantitative and qualitative research] revision is particularly important here.

Interviews and primary and secondary data

AQA also requires students to understand the distinction between primary and secondary data.

This is different from quantitative and qualitative data.

A useful revision framework is:

Question	Distinction being considered
How is the evidence being obtained?	Research method
Where does the evidence come from?	Primary or secondary
What form does the evidence take?	Quantitative or qualitative

Keeping these distinctions separate helps you write more precise research-methods answers.

You will explore the source of sociological evidence more fully in primary and secondary data [Primary and secondary data].

Theoretical considerations and interviews

AQA requires students to examine theoretical considerations affecting:

• choice of topic

• choice of method or methods

• conduct of research.

The specification also explicitly connects:

• positivism

• interpretivism

• sociological methods.

This means methodological decisions can be influenced by wider sociological assumptions about how social life should be researched.

At this stage, the key relationship is:

sociological theory → methodological priorities → research-method choices

You will explore these connections in much greater depth through positivism and social facts [Positivism and social facts] and interpretivism and sociological methods [Interpretivism and sociological methods].

Avoid oversimplifying theory and method

The supplied specification does not state that interviews belong exclusively to one theoretical perspective.

You should therefore avoid automatically writing:

"Interviews are an interpretivist method."

without considering the particular research design described.

AQA requires students to understand the relationship between theory and methods, which is developed later in the relationship between theory and methods [The relationship between theory and methods].

Practical considerations and interviews

AQA explicitly requires students to consider practical considerations affecting research choices and conduct.

When a sociologist is deciding whether to use interviews, they therefore need to consider whether the proposed research can be carried out practically.

The relevant relationship is:

practical consideration → choice of method → conduct of research

For example, a sociologist may initially consider interviews but must still judge whether that choice is workable for the particular investigation.

The specification supplied does not list individual interview-specific practical advantages or limitations.

The provided source material does not contain enough information to provide a detailed specification-supported list of practical strengths and limitations of interviews.

The wider importance of practical factors is developed in practical considerations in sociological research [Practical considerations in sociological research].

Ethical considerations and interviews

AQA also requires students to understand the ethical considerations influencing research.

Ethical questions can influence:

• what a sociologist investigates

• which method is chosen

• how the investigation is conducted.

This means ethical considerations should form part of the research design from the beginning.

For interview research, the general relationship is:

ethical issue → methodological decision → possible change to the conduct of the interview research

The specification supplied does not provide a detailed list of interview-specific ethical advantages or problems.

The provided source material does not contain enough information to provide a detailed specification-supported list of ethical strengths and limitations of interviews.

You will examine ethical decision-making more systematically in ethical considerations in sociological research [Ethical considerations in sociological research].

Evaluating the usefulness of interviews

To evaluate interviews, avoid treating the method as automatically good or bad.

Instead, evaluate whether it is appropriate for the purpose of a particular investigation.

A useful sequence is:

1. Identify the research purpose

Ask:

What does the sociologist want to discover?

2. Identify what evidence is required

Consider whether the researcher needs quantitative or qualitative evidence, or whether other features of the evidence matter.

3. Consider interviews

Ask whether interview research could provide evidence relevant to the research question.

4. Consider theoretical issues

Could the researcher's sociological approach affect whether interviews are considered suitable?

5. Consider practical issues

Could practical considerations affect whether interviews can be used or how they are conducted?

6. Consider ethical issues

Could ethical considerations affect the use or conduct of interviews?

7. Compare alternatives

Would another required method, such as a questionnaire or observation, provide evidence that better suits the research purpose?

8. Reach a judgement

Decide whether interviews are useful in the particular circumstances described.

This approach develops AO3 rather than simply producing a memorised list of advantages and disadvantages.

Applying interview research to a sociological investigation

Imagine a sociologist wants to investigate how members of a social group experience an aspect of contemporary UK society.

This is an illustrative research scenario, not evidence from an actual sociological study.

The researcher is considering interviews.

A strong methodological analysis could consider:

• why interviews have been considered

• what evidence the sociologist wants

• whether interviews fit that research purpose

• what theoretical considerations may affect the choice

• what practical considerations may affect the research

• what ethical considerations may arise

• whether another method could be more suitable.

The same approach can be applied to almost any unfamiliar research context.

Interviews compared with questionnaires

AQA requires both questionnaires and interviews as sources of data.

You should therefore become confident comparing them.

However, the comparison should not take the form:

Interviews are better than questionnaires.

Instead ask:

Which method is more appropriate for this research purpose, and why?

For each method, consider:

• the evidence required

• theoretical considerations

• practical considerations

• ethical considerations

• the conduct of research.

Your earlier questionnaire research [Questionnaires] revision gives you the basis for making this comparison.

Interviews compared with observation

AQA also requires both participant and non-participant observation.

Observation therefore provides another alternative research design that can be evaluated alongside interviews.

Again, avoid universal judgements.

A useful examination comparison is:

What could the sociologist learn by interviewing participants, and how might this differ from obtaining evidence through observation?

You will develop this comparison after studying participant and non-participant observation [Participant and non-participant observation].

Interviews and Methods in Context

AQA requires students to apply sociological research methods to the study of education as part of Methods in Context.

The supplied lesson plan therefore contains a separate lesson on interview methods in education [Interviews in educational research].

This distinction matters.

In Theory and Methods, you need general methodological understanding.

In Methods in Context, you must take that knowledge and apply it specifically to the characteristics and issues involved in researching education.

📌 Exam tip: When a question provides a research context, make your methodological point specific to that context. A generic paragraph about interviews will usually demonstrate less application than one explaining why the method matters for the exact group or issue being researched.

Interviews and the assessment objectives

AQA assesses three assessment objectives at A-Level:

• AO1: knowledge and understanding of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods

• AO2: application of sociological theories, concepts, evidence and research methods to a range of issues

• AO3: analysis and evaluation in order to present arguments, make judgements and draw conclusions.

For interviews:

AO1

Demonstrate accurate knowledge of interviews as a sociological research method and their place within research design.

AO2

Apply methodological issues specifically to the investigation described.

AO3

Analyse theoretical, practical and ethical considerations and reach a supported judgement about usefulness.

A useful answer structure is therefore:

identify → explain → apply → evaluate → judge

Key Words 🔑

Key word	Student-friendly definition	How it may be used in an exam
Interview	A source of sociological data explicitly included within AQA's Research Methods content.	Assess whether interviews are appropriate for a particular investigation.
Research design	The planning of how sociological research will be carried out.	Explain how interview choice fits into a wider investigation.
Research method	An approach used by sociologists to obtain or use evidence.	Compare interviews with questionnaires, observation or other methods.
Quantitative data	Sociological data expressed numerically.	Distinguish the type of data from the method used.
Qualitative data	Non-numerical sociological data.	Identify the form of evidence separately from its source.
Theoretical considerations	Theoretical factors influencing research choices and conduct.	Explain connections between sociological theory and interview choice.
Practical considerations	Practical factors affecting research decisions and conduct.	Assess whether interviews are workable in a particular investigation.
Ethical considerations	Ethical factors influencing the topic, method or conduct of research.	Explain how ethical issues could influence interview research.
Positivism	A sociological approach whose relationship with methods is required by AQA.	Used when discussing theoretical influences on research methods.
Interpretivism	A sociological approach whose relationship with methods is required by AQA.	Used when analysing connections between theory and methodological choices.

Hints from the Examiner Reports 💡

No lesson-specific examiner guidance was identified in the provided reports.

No examiner reports were supplied for this lesson, so specific claims about what previous candidates did well or badly cannot be attributed to AQA examiners.

The specification does establish that research methods can be assessed through knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation.

For interview research, this means it is important to practise taking a methodological consideration and applying it to a specific investigation, rather than memorising isolated statements.

Common Mistakes ⚠️

Mistake: Assuming interviews automatically produce qualitative data

Why this is incorrect:

AQA lists interviews separately from the distinction between quantitative and qualitative data. The supplied specification does not state that every interview must produce one particular form of data.

How to improve:

Separate the questions:

• What method was used?

• What form does the resulting evidence take?

Mistake: Treating interviews as automatically interpretivist

Why this is incorrect:

AQA requires students to study the relationship between positivism, interpretivism and sociological methods, but the supplied source does not classify interviews exclusively within one approach.

How to improve:

Explain the theoretical reasoning affecting the specific research design rather than applying a label automatically.

Mistake: Describing the method without considering research design

Why this is incorrect:

Selecting interviews is only one part of planning sociological research.

How to improve:

Connect the choice to:

• the topic

• evidence required

• theoretical considerations

• practical considerations

• ethical considerations.

Mistake: Listing "practical, ethical and theoretical" without explanation

Why this is incorrect:

Simply naming the categories does not show how they affect sociological research.

How to improve:

Use the structure:

factor → effect on interview choice → effect on conduct or usefulness

Mistake: Saying interviews are always better than another method

Why this is incorrect:

AQA requires several research methods because their appropriateness must be considered in relation to the investigation.

How to improve:

Use comparative language:

Interviews may be more useful for this research purpose because...

Then consider a limitation or alternative before reaching a judgement.

Mistake: Giving a generic methods answer when a context is provided

Why this is incorrect:

AO2 requires students to apply sociological research methods to issues.

How to improve:

Keep referring to:

• the people being researched

• the particular topic

• the type of evidence required

• the circumstances of the investigation.

Exam-Style Questions ✍️

Question 1

Identify one research method included within AQA's Theory and Methods content. (1 mark)

Question 2

Identify three categories of consideration that may influence the choice and conduct of sociological research. (3 marks)

Question 3

Explain why the decision to use interviews should be considered as part of a wider research design. (4 marks)

Question 4

A sociologist wants to investigate how young people experience an aspect of contemporary UK society and is considering interviews.

Explain two considerations that could affect the researcher's decision to use interviews. (6 marks)

Question 5

Explain why a sociologist should distinguish between the research method used and the type of data produced. (4 marks)

Question 6

A sociologist plans to use interviews in a study of people's experiences of education.

Explain how one practical consideration and one ethical consideration could influence the design and conduct of the research. (6 marks)

Question 7

Explain how theoretical considerations may influence a sociologist's decision about whether to use interviews. (4 marks)

Question 8

Evaluate the usefulness of interviews for sociological research. (10 marks)

Answers and mark scheme

Question 1: Research method (1 mark)

Accept any source or method identified in the specification, including:

• interviews

• questionnaires

• participant observation

• non-participant observation

• experiments

• documents

• official statistics.

Example answer:

Interviews.

Question 2: Considerations (3 marks)

Award one mark for each:

• theoretical

• practical

• ethical.

Question 3: Interviews and research design (4 marks)

Credit answers explaining that:

• research design involves planning the investigation

• interviews are only one possible method

• the sociologist must consider the topic and evidence required

• theoretical, practical and ethical considerations may affect the choice

• these factors can also influence how the research is conducted.

Example answer:

An interview is only one part of a wider research design. The sociologist must also decide what they want to investigate and what evidence they need. Theoretical, practical and ethical considerations may then affect whether interviews are suitable and how the investigation is carried out.

Question 4: Choosing interviews (6 marks)

Award credit for two developed considerations.

Possible supported categories include:

• theoretical considerations

• practical considerations

• ethical considerations

• the research topic

• the type of evidence required

• alternative research methods.

For each consideration, reward answers that explain how it affects the decision to use interviews.

Example answer:

One consideration is the type of evidence required. The sociologist should decide whether interview research can produce information relevant to the experiences they want to investigate. A second consideration is ethics because ethical issues may affect whether interviews are appropriate and how the research can be conducted.

Question 5: Method and type of data (4 marks)

Credit should be given for recognising that:

• an interview is a method or source used in sociological research

• quantitative and qualitative describe forms of data

• these are separate methodological concepts within the AQA specification

• identifying the method alone does not fully classify the resulting evidence.

Example answer:

An interview describes the way in which sociological evidence is obtained, whereas quantitative and qualitative describe the form of the data. A researcher should therefore consider the method and the type of evidence separately when analysing a research design.

Question 6: Practical and ethical considerations (6 marks)

Award credit for:

• identifying a relevant practical consideration as a category

• explaining how it could influence whether or how interviews are conducted

• applying the point to researching education

and:

• identifying an ethical consideration

• explaining how it could affect interview choice or conduct

• applying the point to the investigation.

The supplied source does not provide a detailed list of interview-specific factors, so:

The provided source material does not contain enough information to prescribe particular interview-specific practical or ethical issues accurately.

Question 7: Theoretical considerations (4 marks)

Credit answers explaining that:

• theoretical considerations can influence choice of research method

• AQA requires students to examine positivism, interpretivism and sociological methods

• methodological decisions can therefore be related to broader sociological approaches

• theory may influence whether interviews are judged appropriate for a particular investigation.

Example answer:

Theoretical considerations may affect what kind of sociological evidence a researcher regards as useful and therefore influence the choice of method. AQA requires students to examine the relationship between positivism, interpretivism and research methods, so decisions about interviews should be considered within this broader methodological debate.

Question 8: Evaluate interview research (10 marks)

A strong answer should evaluate interviews in relation to the purpose and design of sociological research.

Relevant supported content includes:

• interviews are a required source of sociological data

• interview choice forms part of research design

• the type of evidence required should be considered

• theoretical considerations may influence method choice

• practical considerations may affect whether and how interviews can be used

• ethical considerations may influence method choice and conduct

• interviews can be compared with alternatives including questionnaires, observation, experiments, documents and official statistics

• the appropriateness of interviews depends on the specific investigation

• a reasoned judgement should be reached.

The supplied specification does not contain sufficient detail to provide a list of named interview-specific strengths and weaknesses without introducing unsupported material.

The provided source material does not contain enough information to complete that part of the indicative content accurately.

Example concluding judgement:

The usefulness of interviews depends on how well they fit the particular sociological investigation. Choosing interviews should therefore involve more than selecting a familiar method. The sociologist needs to consider the evidence required and the theoretical, practical and ethical issues affecting the study, as well as whether an alternative method would better meet the research purpose.