One disadvantage of interviews is that they may lead to which issue?

Interviews can be a powerful method for gathering qualitative data, but one significant disadvantage is the potential for researcher bias. This occurs when the personal beliefs, expectations, or preconceived notions of the interviewer influence the way questions are asked, how responses are interpreted, and ultimately the outcomes of the research. For instance, if an interviewer has a strong opinion about a particular topic, they may unintentionally lead the participant towards a specific response or shade their interpretation of the participant’s answers in a way that aligns with their own views.

In contrast, excessive data collection is typically not an issue attributable to interviews themselves; it is more relevant to broader research methods. The structured format of interviews can actually help reduce bias by standardizing questions, but this rigidity can limit the depth of responses. Increased participant comfort is generally seen as a positive factor, enabling more open and honest communication, but it does not address the potential for bias in data interpretation. Thus, the potential for researcher bias is a critical issue in the context of interviews and highlights the need for researchers to be aware of their influence on the data collection process.