Questionnaires

Question 1

Questionnaire

Answer 1

• Self report
• Involves a pre-set list of written questions to which the PPs respond
• Can be used to assess thoughts +/ experiences
• May be used as part of an experiment to assess the DV

Question 2

Open questions

Answer 2

• Does not have a fixed number of answers
• Respondents are free to answer in any way they wish
• Qualitative data

Question 3

Open questions

+/-

Answer 3

+ Rich in depth, detailed

• Difficult to analyse

Question 4

Closed questions

Answer 4

• Offer a range of fixed responses

- Numerical data

Question 5

Closed questions

+/-

Answer 5

+ Quantitative date is easier to analyse

- May lack depth

Question 6

Errors to avoid

Answer 6

• Ambiguity
• Double-barrelled questions
• Emotive language/leading questions
• Complex phrases/technical jargon

Question 7

Strengths

Answer 7

• Cost effective
• Can be distributed to lots of people simultaneously
• Straightforward
• Statistical analysis
• Can be done without researcher’s presence

Question 8

Limitations

Answer 8

• Responses may not always be truthful
• Social desirability bias
• Acquiescence bias (agreeing regardless of question)