7. RESEARCH METHODS (Self-report techniques (Questionnaires & Interviews))

Question 1

What is a self-report technique?

Answer 1

A self-report technique involves collecting data by asking participants to provide information about their own feelings, thoughts, or behaviours through questionnaires or interviews.

Question 2

What are closed questions in a questionnaire?

Answer 2

Closed questions are those where the researcher determines the range of possible answers in advance, such as yes/no or on a scale (e.g., 1 to 10).

Question 3

What is a strength of closed questions in questionnaires?

Answer 3

Closed questions produce quantitative data that is easy to analyse, allowing researchers to make comparisons and form conclusions.

Question 4

What is a limitation of closed questions in questionnaires?

Answer 4

Closed questions limit the depth of responses as participants can only choose from predetermined options, potentially reducing internal validity.

Question 5

What are open questions in a questionnaire?

Answer 5

Open questions allow participants to respond in their own words, providing detailed, qualitative data about their thoughts or feelings.

Question 6

What is a strength of open questions in questionnaires?

Answer 6

Open questions provide rich, detailed data, which enhances internal validity by offering more in-depth insights into participants’ experiences.

Question 7

What is a limitation of open questions in questionnaires?

Answer 7

Open questions generate qualitative data that is harder to quantify and analyse, making it difficult to check the reliability of results.

Question 8

What factors should researchers consider when constructing a questionnaire?

Answer 8

Researchers should consider the aims, length, previous examples, question formation, pilot studies, and measurement scales to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

Question 9

What is a pilot study in questionnaire design?

Answer 9

A pilot study is a small-scale test of the questionnaire with a sample from the target population to identify issues like ambiguous or misleading questions before the main study.

Question 10

What is a strength of using questionnaires for data collection?

Answer 10

Questionnaires are quick to complete, allowing researchers to gather a large amount of data in a short period, saving time and money.

Question 11

What is a limitation of using questionnaires for data collection?

Answer 11

Self-report data may not be valid if participants provide socially desirable answers or misinterpret questions, reducing the internal validity of the study.

Question 12

What is the main difference between structured and unstructured interviews?

Answer 12

Structured interviews use a predetermined set of questions asked in a fixed order, while unstructured interviews allow for a more flexible, free-flowing conversation with no set questions.

Question 13

What is a strength of structured interviews?

Answer 13

Structured interviews are easy to replicate because the questions are standardized, making it easier to assess the reliability of findings.

Question 14

What is a strength of unstructured interviews?

Answer 14

Unstructured interviews allow the interviewer to explore complex issues in depth by tailoring questions to the responses of the participant, providing rich qualitative data.

Question 15

What is a limitation of structured interviews?

Answer 15

Structured interviews may not allow for follow-up on unexpected answers, limiting the depth of responses and the amount of information gathered.

Question 16

What is a limitation of unstructured interviews?

Answer 16

Unstructured interviews are difficult to replicate due to their flexible nature, which limits the external reliability of the findings.

Question 17

How can misunderstandings be addressed in interviews?

Answer 17

Misunderstandings can be clarified immediately in interviews, as the researcher can ask follow-up questions to ensure the participant understands and answers correctly.

Question 18

What is a strength of using interviews to gather data?

Answer 18

Interviews may provide more truthful and detailed responses as the participant may feel encouraged to open up due to the face-to-face interaction.

Question 19

What is a limitation of interviews regarding researcher influence?

Answer 19

Interviewer effects, such as body language or tone of voice, may inadvertently influence participants’ answers, reducing the internal validity of the study.

Question 20

What is a limitation of interview data in terms of validity?

Answer 20

Self-report data from interviews may not always be valid due to social desirability bias, where participants may give answers they think are more socially acceptable or favourable.

Question 21

What ethical issue can arise during interviews?

Answer 21

Interviews can sometimes lead to participants revealing more than they intended, potentially causing emotional distress or psychological harm.

Question 22

What is a strength of qualitative data obtained from interviews?

Answer 22

Qualitative data from interviews provides depth, detail, and meaningful information that enhances internal validity by offering a more comprehensive understanding of the topic.

Question 23

Why is it important to consider interviewer characteristics when conducting an interview?

Answer 23

Characteristics like the gender and age of the interviewer can affect participants’ willingness to share honest answers, potentially lowering the validity of the findings.

Question 24

What is researcher bias in interviews?

Answer 24

Researcher bias occurs when the interviewer unintentionally interprets or records answers in a way that supports their hypothesis, which can reduce the internal validity of the study.