Question

Which of the following is a disadvantage of qualitative interviewing relative to participant observation?

a) It has a more specific focus.
b) It is more ethically dubious, in terms of obtaining informed consent.
c) It may not provide access to deviant or hidden activities.
d) It does not allow participants to reconstruct their life events.

Answer 1

Qualitative interviewing may not provide access to deviant or hidden activities compared to participant observation, which allows researchers to uncover in-depth social patterns and behaviors in the group they study.

Step-by-step explanation:

The disadvantage of qualitative interviewing relative to participant observation is that it may not provide access to deviant or hidden activities. In participant observation, researchers may spend a significant amount of time within a group, carefully remaining somewhat detached yet observant, which allows them to uncover social patterns and behaviors that might not be apparent or discussed in an interview setting. On the other hand, qualitative interviews focus on personal explanations and can reveal in-depth insights into individuals’ thoughts and beliefs, but they may lack the full behavioral context that participant observation captures.