L3 - Self-Report Techniques

Question 1

Self-Report techniques

Answer 1

• research methods in which participants give information about themselves without researcher interference
• participants self-report information possibly without the researcher being present for some of the techniques

Question 2

Interviews

Answer 2

• Involve researchers asking questions in face-to-face situations
• 3 main types of interviews

Question 3

What are the 3 main types of interviews

Answer 3

• structured
• unstructured
• semi-structured

Question 4

Structured interviews

Answer 4

• patients asked same questions in dame order
• get quantitative data - can be counted or expressed numerically
• usually consists of closed questions that have restricted answers

Question 5

Structured interviews advantages

Answer 5

1) if participants misunderstand a question this can be clarified in an interview so that the question can be repeated and clarified to help aid understanding
2) Structured interviews are usually quite quick compared to unstructured interviews. Structured
interviews consist of closed questions that require a quick yes or no answer which is less time consuming that conducting an unstructured interview

Question 6

Structured interview disadvantages

Answer 6

1) There is a risk of interviewer effects (when the interviewer may inadvertently affect respondent’s answers). This can be unintentional and may even be a result of the interviewer’s appearance, manner or gender. This will affect the data collected which might be invalid

2) Structured interviews lack qualitative and in depth data. The answers are restrictive and factual but lack meaning and depth, therefore the results might be invalid and might not accurately be measuring the key variables stated in the aim

Question 7

Unstructured interviews

Answer 7

• An informal in-depth conversational exchange between the interviewer and interviewee.
• Questions are not pre planned, but might consist of themes that the interviewer wants to discuss.
• This provides qualitative data, non-numerical data that uses words to give a description of what people think and feel.
• It usually consists of open questions that require an in depth answers about opinions, e.g. “What are your views about recycling?”

Question 8

Unstructured interview advantages

Answer 8

1) useful when investigating sensitive or controversial topics and may be better research method then questionnaires, allow for probing of information to gain a real understanding of the topic being investigating
2) east to clarify the question, can move conversation in certain direction depending on the answers given, get rich & detailed data that’s high in validity

Question 9

Unstructured interviews disadvantages

Answer 9

1) There is a risk of social desirability bias (when people lie to present themselves in a positive light, particularly when discussing issues that may be socially sensitive. Therefore the results might not be very valid or accurate

2) Interviewers need to be well trained in order to accurately conduct an unstructured interview and to gain relevant data. This can be time consuming and expensive in order to ensure the correct training is carried out. More training is needed for an unstructured interview than a structured interview.

Question 10

Semi-structured interview

Answer 10

• This type of interview combines a mixture of structured and unstructured techniques producing both quantitative and qualitative data
• It will consist of both closed questions and open questions
• Some of the questions will be pre planned and then later on in the interview there will be themes that the researcher might want to discuss

Question 11

Semi-structured interviews advantages

Answer 11

1) gives quantitative and qualitative data due to a mixture of closed and open questions being asked which makes it more valid and reliable
2) reliability can be enhanced if planned in advanced and there are many closed questions as it can be repeated with other participants and then compared

Question 12

Semi-structured interviews disadvantages

Answer 12

1) less valid then unstructured interviews as it contains closed questions as well, also some answers based on themes may be irrelevant to the topic as people can go off topic
2) less reliable then structured and it can be the time consuming and more expensive, may need a smaller sample if more open ended questions are asked - will more more difficult to analyse compared to structured ones (time consuming)

Question 13

Questionnaires

Answer 13

• Participants are given a written set of questions and instructions about how to record their answers
• Questionnaires mainly focus on the individual’s behaviour, opinions, beliefs and attitudes
• Questionnaires can be self-administered, delivered by post, internet or face to face

Question 14

Design of questionnaires

Answer 14

Various things that need to be considered:

1) Type of data -whether you want qualitative data and/or quantitative data will affect whether you ask open and/or closed questions.

2) Ambiguity - you have to avoid questions and answer options which are not clearly defined e.g. do you listen to music frequently? What is meant by frequently?

3) Double barrelled questions, it is best not to use them, since a person may wish to answer differently to each part. For example, do you agree that modern music is not as good as the music of the 1960s and that there should be more guitar based music in the charts?

4) Leading questions - these are questions that lead the participant for a particular answer e.g. how tall was the man? This is assuming the man was tall?

5) Complexity - use clear English language for questions and avoid jargon. If specialist terms are to be used, then they should be clearly defined.

Question 15

Closed questions

Answer 15

Require participants to answer yes/no or choose from fixed responses (quantitative data)

Question 16

Open questions

Answer 16

Allow the participant to answer in their own words (qualitative data)

Question 17

Questionnaires advantages

Answer 17

1) Questionnaires are quick, easy, and relatively cheap compared to interviews. It is possible to have a large sample and collect a large amount of data when using a questionnaires compared to another research method such as an unstructured interview

2) Questionnaires (especially structured questionnaires) are very easy to replicate and this means their reliability can be established. This means that if the questionnaire was to be repeated, the same results would be gained on the second questionnaire. This indicates high reliability.

Question 18

Questionnaires disadvantages

Answer 18

1) Questions can be ambiguous and the wording might not be clear. If the researcher is not there to explain the questions it means that they might be misunderstand or participants could misinterpret the questions. This could lead to invalid data collection

2) Questionnaires can have a low response rate especially if they are sent by the post and need to be returned. Also if there is no researcher present to remind participants to fill in the questionnaire and return it, many questionnaires might end up being unanswered or filled in and not returned