What is one major weakness of interviews?

One major weakness of interviews is the lack of anonymity for participants. When individuals participate in an interview, especially in face-to-face settings, their identities are often known to the interviewer and potentially to other participants. This can lead to concerns about privacy and confidentiality, which may cause interviewees to hold back on sharing honest or complete responses. This lack of anonymity can also introduce social desirability bias, where participants might respond in a way they believe will be more acceptable or favorable rather than providing genuine feedback.

In research, protecting participant anonymity is crucial to maintaining ethical standards and encouraging openness, especially when discussing sensitive topics. The implications of this weakness can affect the reliability and validity of the data collected, as a participant's hesitance to speak freely may skew the information gathered during the interview process.