Lesson 3 - Self Report Techniques

Question 1

Self Report

Answer 1

When particiapnts provide information of their own feelings, thoughts and/or behaviour to the researcher

Question 2

Interviews

Answer 2

Involve researchers asking questions in face-to-face situations

Question 3

Structured Interview

Answer 3

All participants are asked the same questions in the same order
Provides quantitative data
Can be counted or expressed numerically

Question 4

Unstructured Interview

Answer 4

An informal in-depth conversational exchange between the interviewer and interviewee
Provides qualitative data
Non-numberical data that uses words to give a description of what people think/feel

Question 5

Sem-Structured Interview

Answer 5

This type of interview combines a mixured of structured and unstructured techniques
Quantitative and qualitative data

Question 6

Interview Advantages

Answer 6

Complicated or sensitive issues are best dealt with in an interview
If participants misunderstand a question, this can be clarified

Question 7

Interview Disadvantages

Answer 7

Risk of interviewer effects. Can be unintentional and may be a result of the interviewer
Social desirability bias to portray themselves in a positive light resulting in data lacking validity
Training is needed and the process can be time consuming and expensive

Question 8

Questionnaires

Answer 8

Participants are given a written set of questions and intructions about how to record their answers
Mainly focus on individual’s behaviour, opinions, beliefs and attitudes

Question 9

Closed Questions

Answer 9

Require participants to answer yes/no or choose from fixed responses (quantitative)
Researchers are able to collate and display the information collected easily
Make it easy to compare specific responses to questions that researched wanted answered

Question 10

Open Questions

Answer 10

Allow the participant to answer in their own words (qualitative)
Allow respondents to interpret the question as they wish to develop their response with detail or depth
Allow researchers to pursue a line of enquiry that they may not have predicted but which comes to light because of a response by an interview

Question 11

Questionnaires Advantages

Answer 11

Possible to collect a large amount of data quickly and conveniently
Easy to score/collate when questions are closed
Standardised and easy to replicate

Question 12

Questionnaires Disadvantages

Answer 12

Participants may misunderstand the questions and the researcher is not there to clarify
Low response rate
Biased sample as they are only suitable for people who can read and are willing to spend the time on them. Certain types of people would be more willing to fill in questionnaires so sample may not be representative of the target population