Designing Self-Report

Question 1

Designing Questionnaires

Answer 1

Two types of questions; open and closed.
- Keep the instructions and questions easy to understand.
- Avoid bias, ‘leading questions’.
- Avoid double-barrelled questions (more than one question in one).
- Keep the amount of information to a minimum and relevant.
- Be mindful of ethics; do not ask invasive questions.

Question 2

Designing Interviews

Answer 2

• Interviews may also include open or closed questions. The difference between interviews and questionnaires is that the interviews are conducted ‘face to face’ in ‘real time’.
• In structured interviews, as opposed to unstructured interviews, the researcher has a predetermined set of questions.
• The rules for designing questions for interviews are the same as for questionnaires.

Question 3

Pilot Studies

Answer 3

When using self-report methods, such as questionnaires and interviews, it is helpful to try out the questions in advance and remove or reword those that are ambiguous or confusing.

Question 3

Addressing Validity and Reliability when conducting Self-Report Techniques

Answer 3

The validity (accuracy) of the test may be affected by the sample selected (unrepresentative), social desirability (the tendency of humans to present themselves in the best possible light) and interviewer bias (interviewer’s expectations).

Question 4

To ensure the validity and reliability of self-report techniques:

Answer 4

• Employ the use of appropriate questions.
• Face validity: does the test look like it measures what it claims to measure?
• Concurrent validity: scores with a similar established test are compared.
• Inter-interviewer reliability: two interviewer’s produce the same outcome.