1.8 Research Methods - Self Report Methods Flashcards
Self-report methods
Methods used to assess what people think and feel. Reporting done on themselves and a person’s own opinions, often this is written and or spoken communication
Questionnaire
A set of written questions usually on a specific topic in which opinions are sought, this can be done numerous ways either face-to-face, on masse, postal, virtual and over the phone
Open Question
People can describe what they think and feel in their own words on a topic e.g. a ‘’what’s your opinion on…’’ Question
Closed Question
Questions that gather numerical quantitative data. Answers are fixed such as rating on a scale or ticking yes or no
Qualitative Data
Data displaying thoughts and feelings via verbal or physical communication
Strengths of Qualitative Data:
- Rich in-depth information
- Allows for elaboration on answers
Limitations of Qualitative Data:
- Harder to analyse
- Difficult to replicate and check for reliability
Quantitative Data
Numerical data such as scores from yes/no questions, these can be put into graphs and statistically analysed
Strengths of Quantitative Data
- Easy to analyse and compare for conclusions
- Easily replicated
Limitations of Quantitative Data
- Forced into one specific answer, thus lacks flexibility
- Restricted response so lack of detail and elaboration
Interview
A live encounter either face-to-face or by phone where the interviewer asks the interviewee a set or unset list of questions
Structured interview
Quantitative research method, the aim is to ensure each interview is presented in the same way
Strengths of Structured interviews
- Easily replicable
- Large amounts of data gathered
- Easier to analyse
- Better establishment of correlations
Limitations of Structured interviews
- Lacks of elaboration on answers
- Possible social desirability
- Questions may be misunderstood leading to random answers being given
Semi-Structured interviews
Are open allowing for new ideas to be brought to up during the interview
