What is a potential disadvantage of structured interviews?

The potential disadvantage of structured interviews relates to the increased interviewer effect. In structured interviews, the interviewer follows a strict set of questions and response options, which can limit the opportunity for the interviewer to engage with the respondent in a more natural, conversational manner. This controlled format can lead to biases where the interviewer's behavior or presence may influence how respondents answer questions. Respondents might feel compelled to provide socially desirable answers or may be influenced by the interviewer's tone or demeanor, which can compromise the validity of the data collected.

Increased interviewer effect implies that the responses may reflect the interviewer's influence rather than the true opinions or experiences of the respondent. This is a significant concern in research, as it can distort findings and reduce the reliability of conclusions drawn from the data. Understanding this drawback highlights the importance of considering how different interview formats may impact the quality and authenticity of the responses gathered in research.