Qualitative Methods: Interviews, Observations & Discourse — A-Level Geography Revision
Revise Qualitative Methods: Interviews, Observations & Discourse for A-Level Geography. Step-by-step explanation, worked examples, common mistakes and exam-style practice aligned to AQA, Edexcel and OCR.
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Go to GIS, Cartography & Remote Sensing ApplicationsWhat is Qualitative Methods: Interviews, Observations & Discourse?
This topic explores the use of qualitative methods in geographical research, such as interviews, observations, and discourse analysis. It focuses on how to collect, analyse, and interpret non-numerical data in order to gain a deeper understanding of people's experiences, perceptions, and perspectives. The aim is to enable students to use qualitative data to explore complex social and cultural issues.
Board notes: An important part of the NEA for AQA, Edexcel, and OCR, particularly for human geography investigations. All boards encourage the use of qualitative methods, either on their own or in combination with quantitative methods (mixed methods). The emphasis is on the student's ability to interpret qualitative data and to reflect on the research process.
Step-by-step explanationWorked example
To investigate people's perceptions of a place, a student could conduct semi-structured interviews with local residents. They would need to prepare a set of open-ended questions, but also be prepared to follow up on interesting points raised by the interviewees. The interviews would then need to be transcribed and analysed thematically, in order to identify the key themes and patterns in people's perceptions.
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Common mistakes
- 1Asking leading questions in an interview.
- 2Not being systematic in the recording of observations.
- 3Describing qualitative data without interpreting its meaning or significance.
Qualitative Methods: Interviews, Observations & Discourse exam questions
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Step-by-step method
Step-by-step explanation
4 steps · Worked method for Qualitative Methods: Interviews, Observations & Discourse
Core concept
This topic explores the use of qualitative methods in geographical research, such as interviews, observations, and discourse analysis. It focuses on how to collect, analyse, and interpret non-numerica…
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a structured and a semi-structured interview?
A structured interview uses a fixed set of questions, which are asked in the same order to all interviewees. A semi-structured interview uses a set of guide questions, but the interviewer has the flexibility to ask follow-up questions and to vary the order of the questions.
What is discourse analysis?
Discourse analysis is a qualitative method for studying written or spoken language. It involves analysing how language is used to construct meaning and to represent the world in particular ways.