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Methodology of Social Research

notes 5. inter-stimulation: in an interview at least two people (interviewer and the informant) are face-
to-face, hence, they mutually stimulate, motivate and affect each other. in this friendly atmosphere
both establish friendship with each other. As a result of this, informant reveals secret and important
information.
6. Verification of Information: In an interview, credibility and verification of information provided
by the informant can be done during the interview itself. During the interview, through searchful
question and cross-questions, verification of information can be done. Because of his presence, the
interviewer can clarify doubtful and unclear things before the informant.
7. observation of events: During interview, interviewer not only has the facility of asking questions
about the event but he can observe many event from his eyes and on this basis, can know the
authenticity of compiled information.
8. securing Various information: during interview many kinds of information can be obtained from
various kinds of informants.
Demerits or Limitations of Interview Method

Despite many merits of interview method, it has some limitations also. We cannot use this method in
all kinds of research, and successful operation of interview cannot be expected from all interviewers.
Young has written, “interviewer despite being sensible, may be afflicted by faulty internal view, faulty
memory, and lack of microscopic view and incapability of clear expression.”Hymen has also written
“interviewer usually goes to the informant with a definite hope as to in which form will they answer
the special questions. occasionally during the interview itself, on the basis of quick and incomplete
answers they hope so.” on the basis of these statements, certain limitations of interview are revealed.
Here we will discuss the main demerits or limitations of interview.
1. faulty Memory: in an interview, information is not written during the interview, hence, memory
power of the interviewer has to be depended upon. it cannot be expected from every interviewer that
he will be able to remember everything, hence, there is a possibility of forgetting or wrongly, noting
some facts. it can also not be expected from the informant that he should remember the memoir of all
events of the past. in such circumstance compiled facts are faulty and incomplete.
2. possibility of bias: in an interview there is a possibility of personal bias, because due to the
difference in the thoughts, values, and culture of the interviewer and informant, they infer the same
events differently. While the informants connects his emotions and bias while expressing himself,
interviewer himself also while receiving them, cannot be saved of the bias. that is why credibility of
compiled information is doubtful.
3. Inferiority Complex: for interview, interviewer has to approach the informant many a times,
sometimes, have to flatter them also. For interview they have to go to many types of people who do
all kinds of good and bad behaviours with them, as a result, feeling of inferiority complex thrive in
them, their self respect is hurt. Hence many a time he does not compile important information out
of powerlessness.
4. Dependence on Interviewer: in an interview, compilation of information is completely dependent
on the interviewee. Many a time he may misuse this situation of his and forces the interviewer to move
around his house. He also tries to defer him by evasiveness. in this way this method is completely
dependent on the mercy of interviewee.
5. Inaccurate Report: in report written by the interviewer, there is possibility of faultiness coming
in because of the incorporation of his personal thoughts and feelings, which is not correct from the
point of view of scientific study.
6. Problem of Expert Interviewer: success of interview is dependent on the competence, expertise,
training, brain, wit and intellectual loyalty of the interviewer. these attributes cannot be expected
from each interviewer.

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