Lesson 3 Self Report Techniques Flashcards
What are self report techniques
Self-report techniques are research methods in which participants give information about themselves without researcher interference. The participants self-report information possibly without the researcher being present for some of the techniques.
What are interviews
Interviews involve researchers asking questions in face-to-face situations
What is a structured interview
All participants are asked the same questions in the same order.
This provides quantitative data, which is data that can be counted or expressed numerically.
It usually consists of closed questions that have restricted answers e.g. Do you agree with recycling? (Yes, No, Don’t know)
Advtahes of a structured interview
a) 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.
b) 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
Disadvantages of structured interviews
a) 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
b) Structured interviews lack quality 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
What is an unstructured interview
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?”
Advantages of unstructured interviews
a) An advantage of unstructured interviews is that they are very useful with investigating sensitive or controversial topics and might be a better research method than questionnaires. Unstructured interviews allow for probing of information to gain a real understanding of the topic being investigated.
Disadvantages of unstructured interviews
a) 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
b) 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.
What is a semi structured interview
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.
Advantages of semi structured interview
Encourages two-way communication. Provides an opportunity so that interviewers can learn answers to questions and the reasons behind the answers. Allows respondents time to open up about sensitive issues. Provides qualitative data to compare to previous and future data.
Interviewers can prepare questions beforehand to help guide the conversation and keep respondents on topic.
Allows for open-ended responses from participants for more in-depth information.
Encourages two-way communication.
Provides an opportunity so that interviewers can learn answers to questions and the reasons behind the answers.
Allows respondents time to open up about sensitive issues.
Provides qualitative data to compare to previous and future data.
Disadvantages of semi structured interview
It’s time-consuming to sit down with respondents and conduct an open-ended interview.
It requires extensive resources.
It can be challenging to find an interviewer with the right amount of training to conduct the interview properly.
You need to interview enough people to draw conclusions and make comparisons.
It’s possible to write leading questions, and that could bias the interview.
What is a questionnaire
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.
What do you need to think about When designing questionarires
Questionnaires need to be designed carefully. There are various things that you need to consider when designing a questionnaire for a survey.
1) Type of data –whether you want qualitative data and/or quantitative data will affect whether you ask open and/or closed questions.
Closed questions:
Require participants to answer yes/no or choose from fixed responses (quantitative data).
Open questions:
Allow the participant to answer in their own words (qualitative data).
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.
Advantages of questionnaires
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.
Disadvantages of questionnaires
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.
