sociological methods :: essays research papers

MethodsAs we were interested in attitudes and experiences of our subjects we decided to use a qualitative approach to conduct our study. We wished our respondents to define their attitudes and experiences using their knowledge words and meanings therefore it was considered that quantitative data was non appropriate for such a study. Qualitative study is more in-depth and much less structured than a quantitative approach, generating a greater depth of information (Mason 1996) A semi-structured interview technique to gather our data. This was chosen because of the benefits that this method entails and because of the disadvantages of the standardised and non-standardised methods (Gilbert, 2001).The standardised model was toss out because although all respondents received the same questions in the same order the system lacked credibility due a number of facts. Firstly, not every respondent may have the same interpretation of a question thus answers could not be compared to whatever degree of certainty. Secondly, the interviewer was unable to clarify any questions that the respondent did not fully comprehend. Most importantly, though, was the fact that the interviewer was unable to explore any area that our respondent unexpectedly enlightened us to, this also hindered us from asking any supplementary questions that may have furthered our findings (Punch, 1998).A non-structured approach was instantly ruled out as we wished to gage specific attitudes and experiences of drugs from our respondents. A non-standardised interview could have go forth us with an abundance of irrelevant material and little of any actual use.The semi-structured method has many benefits. Not only does this technique give the interviewer room for screen background to probe, clarify and alter his or her interview schedule on the spot but it is also relatively easy to code and analyse the information that is procured (Seidman, 1998). The warningOur sample were four third year students, tw o males and two females. Third year was chosen as our sample year-group as this allowed the respondents time to have exit fully integrated into the Stirling student life-style. The sample was approached at random in the Stirling University union, The Studio. Random individuals were asked if they were 3rd year students and if so were they willing to ascertain part in our survey. The sample were informed of the purpose of our research and confirmed the area of questioning which we wished to pursue. The sample was told that the location for their interview was entirely at their take discretion.