Research method - Self report techniques and design

Question 1

What is a self-report technique?

Answer 1

Any method in which a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings, opinions, behaviours and/or experiences related to a given topic.

Question 2

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 2

A set of written questions (sometimes referred to as items) used to assess a person’s thoughts and/or experiences.

Question 3

What is an interview?

Answer 3

A ‘live’ encounter where interviewer asks a set of questions to assess an interviewee’s thoughts and/or experiences.

Question 4

What are open questions?

Answer 4

Questions for which there is no fixed choice of response and respondents are free to answer in any way they wish.

Question 5

What are closed questions?

Answer 5

Questions for which there is a fixed choice of responses determined by the question setter.

Question 6

What are the strengths of questionnaires?

Answer 6

Cost-effective
Gather lots of info from lots of participants
Researcher does not need to be present
Data lends itself to statistical analysis

Question 7

What are the limitations of questionnaires?

Answer 7

Responses may not be truthful
Social desirability bias - present themselves well
Response bias
Acquiescence bias