Research Methods - Self-report Flashcards
Self-report design
Any method in which a person is asked to state their opinions
Open questions
No fixed choice questions
Closed questions
Fixed choice questions (yes/no)
Structured interviews
Questions decided in advance & order stays the same for each participant
Unstructured interviews
Conducted like a conversation & answers recorded audibly to not disrupt discussion
Semi-structured interviews
Falls between the 2 types - structured questions that was more free-flowing
Questionnaires
Naturalistic observation
Observing & recording behaviour in a natural setting where it would occur without the researcher
Controlled observation
Observing & recording behaviour in a controlled environment where variables are managed
Covert observation
Behaviour observed without participant knowledge/consent
Overt observation
Behaviour observed with participant knowledge/consent
Participant observation
Researcher is a member of the group being observed
Non-participant observation
Researcher is not a member of the group being observed
Time sampling
Recorded behaviour in a fixed time frame (e.g. every 5 seconds)
Event sampling
Recorded behaviour every time it occurs
Strength of naturalistic observations
Ecological validity
Limitation of naturalistic observations
Lacks control of variables (EVs) & hard to replicate
Strengths of controlled observations
Better control of other variables
Easier to replicate
Limitation of controlled observations
Low ecological validity
Strength of overt observations
Ethical (informed consent)
Limitation of overt observations
Demand characteristics arise from knowledge of aim
Strengths of covert observations
Higher validity
Less demand characteristics
Limitation of covert observations
Unethical (deception, lack of informed consent, lack of privacy)
Strengths of participant observations
Lower risk of demand characteristics
Insider insight
Limitations of participant observations
Ethical issues (deception)
Researcher bias
Difficult to subtly record behaviour
Strengths of non-participant observations
Ethical
Objective view (less biased)
Limitations of non-participant observations
Demand characteristics
Misinterpretation of communications
Strength of event sampling
Useful for infrequent behaviour
Limitation of event sampling
Must ensure details aren’t overlooked (which they may be if behaviour is complex)
Strength of time sampling
Reduces amount needed for observation
Limitation of time sampling
Unrepresentative of behaviour
