METHODS - self-report techniques

Question 1

questionnaire

Answer 1

made up of a pre-set list of written questions to which a ppt responds
can be used to measure DV

Question 2

strengths of questionnaire

Answer 2

can be districuted to lots of people - gather large amounts of data quickly and researcher doesn’t need to be present when completed, reduces effort and they’re cost effective
respondents may be willing to ‘open up’ - may share more personal info than in an interview as less self-conscious, less chance of social desirability bias compared to interview

Question 3

weaknesses of questionnaire

Answer 3

responses may not be truthful - respondents tend to present themslves in a positive light, social desirability still a problem
response bias - may favour a particular kind of response e.g always agree, all respondents tend to reply in a similar way

Question 4

interviews

Answer 4

face-to-face interaction between an interviewer and an interviewee

Question 5

structured interview

Answer 5

list of pre-determined questions asked in a fixed order

Question 6

strength of structured

Answer 6

easy to replicate - standardised format, also reduces differences between interviewers

Question 7

weakness of structured

Answer 7

interviewees can’t elaborate - cannot deviate from the topic or elaborate on their points, may be frustrating for some

Question 8

unstructured

Answer 8

no set questions

general topic to be discussed but interaction is free-flowing and the interviewee is encouraged to elaborate

Question 9

strength of unstructured

Answer 9

greater flexibility - points can be followed up as they arise, gain greater insight into interviewee’s worldview

Question 10

weakness of unstructured

Answer 10

hard to replicate - lack structure and not standardised, greater risk of interviewer bias

Question 11

semi-structured

Answer 11

list of questions that have bee worked out in advance but interviewers are free to ask follow-up questions when appropriate

Question 12

writing good quesions

Answer 12

avoid jargon - specialist vocab
avoid double-barrelled questions - 2 questions in one
avoid leading questions - pushing you to agree

Question 13

closed questions

Answer 13

respondent has limited choices

quantitative data

Question 14

strength of closed quesions

Answer 14

easier to analyse - can produce graphs and charts for comparisons making it easier to draw conclusions

Question 15

weakness of closed questions

Answer 15

respondents are restricted - forced into an answer that may not be representative of their true feelings, reduce validity

Question 16

open questions

Answer 16

respondents provide their own answers expressed in words

data is qualitative

Question 17

strength of open questions

Answer 17

respondents not restricted - answers more liekly to provide detailed info, more validity than stats

Question 18

weakness of open questions

Answer 18

hard to analyse - wider variety of answers and may be forced to reduce data to stats

Question 19

interview schedule

Answer 19

a standardised list of questions that the interviewer needs to cover, can reduce interviewer bias

Question 20

quiet room

Answer 20

increase likelihood of iinterviewee opening up

Question 21

rapport

Answer 21

begin with neutral questions to make ppts feel relaxed

Question 22

ethics

Answer 22

remind interviewees that answers will be treated in confidence

Question 23

pilot studies

Answer 23

used in all types of research
pilot study is a small scale trial run of a research design before doing the real thing
to find out if certain things don’t work so you can correct them before spending time and money on the real thing