Research methods 3 | Self-report techniques Flashcards
What is a self-report technique?
A research technique where participants knowingly respond to questions revealing personal information about themselves.
What are the two main types of self-report techniques?
Questionnaires and interviews.
What is a questionnaire?
A list of pre-prepared questions sent to participants, which they fill out and return.
What is an interview in the context of self-report techniques?
A real-time conversation between a researcher and participant, often face-to-face, but can also be over the phone or via text.
What are open questions?
Questions where participants can respond in any way they want, typically yielding qualitative data.
What are closed questions?
Questions where participants choose from a limited set of options, typically yielding quantitative data.
What are the advantages of closed questions?
They allow for easier comparison between participants and facilitate data analysis.
What is the advantage of open questions?
They provide participants with the freedom to respond in their own words, potentially leading to more valid answers.
What should researchers avoid when designing questionnaires?
Complex scientific terminology and biased (leading) questions.
What are leading questions?
Questions that subtly suggest how participants should respond.
What is piloting in research?
Running the questionnaire or interview with a few participants to check for issues.
What are filler questions?
Questions not used in data analysis but included to ease participants or mask the true aim of the study.
What problem do filler questions help to reduce?
Demand characteristics, where participants alter their behaviour to fit perceived research aims.
What is a structured interview?
An interview where the researcher asks a set list of questions in a fixed order.
What are the advantages of structured interviews?
They don’t require a fully trained interviewer and are easier to compare between participants.
What is a disadvantage of structured interviews?
The inability to follow up on interesting responses.
What is an unstructured interview?
A free-flowing, informal conversation around a general topic without a fully prepared list of questions.
What are the advantages of unstructured interviews?
They help build rapport and allow follow-up on interesting points.
What are the disadvantages of unstructured interviews?
They require highly trained interviewers and are hard to compare between participants.
What is a semi-structured interview?
A mix of prepared questions and the ability to ask follow-up questions.
What is a strength of semi-structured interviews?
They allow for comparison between participants while still enabling follow-up questions.
What is social desirability bias?
When participants respond in a way that makes them look good rather than providing honest answers.
What is acquiescence bias?
When participants agree with all questions, regardless of the content.
How can researchers check for acquiescence bias?
By asking similar questions phrased oppositely and checking for consistent responses.
What is interviewer effect?
When the characteristics of the interviewer, such as gender or personality, influence participants’ responses.
What are strengths of self-report techniques?
They are easy to replicate and allow for both statistical data analysis and detailed participant information.
What are weaknesses of self-report techniques?
They suffer from biases like social desirability and may yield dishonest responses.
