A semi-structured interview is a qualitative research method undertaken to answer set questions while also giving the interviewer the opportunity to explore other areas of discussion (Evaluation Toolbox, 2010). Unlike questionnaires, interviews involve social interaction and require participants to essentially give data straight to the researcher of the experiment (McLeod, 2015). Structured interviews are generally formal and make the interviewer follow a strict set of questions so they do not stray into other questions that are not necessary. However, semi-structured interviews allow the interviewer to diverge into other topics when it feels appropriate to do so while also covering questions which are mandatory to bring up in the interview (Cohen, 2006). When used with multiple participants, semi-structured …show more content…
During the study, eight pairs of gay men and heterosexual women who were close friends were interviewed, the sampling method used was most likely snowball sampling. The interview involved demographic questions, followed by questions regarding friendships, their families, perceptions of others, and friendships between gay men and heterosexual women, compared to other forms of friendships. The results displayed that friendships between heterosexual women and gay men resulted in a more satisfying relationship. For women, since they were valued for their personality and not their sexuality, it contributed to their self-esteem. For men, they trusted their female friends more because they could rely on them more than other men. As for the credibility of the study, the researcher’s interest in the study was because she was a heterosexual woman herself and she was involved in a friendship with a gay man, thus increasing reflexivity. The researcher also checked her analysis with other researchers to make sure it was grounded within the