Research Methods - Self Reporting Methods

Question 1

What are self reporting methods

Answer 1

Non experimental methods/techniques used to ask people questions about their experiences and/or beliefs

Question 2

What is a questionnaire

Answer 2

A set of questions designed to collect info about a topic/topics

Question 3

What are the strengths of a questionnaire

Answer 3

• you can collect the same information from a large number of people relatively easy
• you can access what people think directly - no guessing

Question 4

What are open questions

Answer 4

Questions that allow participants to answer however they wish

Question 5

What are the features of open questions

Answer 5

• generates qualitative data (words)
• no fixed number of responses to select from
• responses provide rich & detailed data - provide insight into the unique human conditions

Question 6

What are the strengths of open questions

Answer 6

• less chance of research bias (if anonymous)
• less chance of the responses being inflicted by researcher’s expectations

Question 7

What are the limitations of open questions

Answer 7

Social desirability bias

Question 8

What are closed questions

Answer 8

Questions that restrict participants to a predetermined set of responses

Question 9

What are the features of closed questions and what are the different types

Answer 9

• generates quantitative (numerical) data
  DIFFERENT TYPES:
• checklist
• ranking scale
• likert response scale

Question 10

What are the strengths of closed questions

Answer 10

Data generated is easy to analyse statistically - direct comparisons can be made

Question 11

What are the limitations of closed questions

Answer 11

• Questions are unable to pursue & explore different interests
• response bias ( person doesn’t read all the questions and gives the same answer for everything)

Question 12

What do you need to make sure of when you design questionnaires

Answer 12

• keep terminology simple and clear
• avoid person questions (collect personal info at the end)
• don’t use leading questions
• don’t use questions that make assumptions/ sweeping statements
  -pilot and modify the questionnaire
• clarity & no ambiguity

Question 13

What is a structured interview

Answer 13

An interview that contains predetermined questions (usually delivered face-to-face)

Question 14

What are the strengths of a structured interview

Answer 14

• collects specific data researcher wants
• they are replicable and the data is reliable & consistent
• easier to analyse & see trends ( produces quantitative data)

Question 15

What are the limitations of a structured interview

Answer 15

The researcher decides which questions are important & may miss particular info participant finds important

Question 16

What is an unstructured interview

Answer 16

An interview with less structure and the questions are developed as you go along

Question 17

What are the strengths of an unstructured interview

Answer 17

• interviews can go into more depth & detail ( produces rich qualitative data)
• researcher may be given new lines enquiry not thought of

Question 18

What are the limitations of an unstructured interview

Answer 18

• Interviewees can go on a tangent and give irrelevant info
• can’t be replicated
• difficult and time consuming to analyse

Question 19

What is a semi structured interview

Answer 19

An interview that combines both elements of a structured and unstructured interview. Starts with predetermined questions but further questions develop in response to your answers e.g. GP visit

Question 20

What is the interview effect

Answer 20

The appearance/behaviour of the interviewer influencing the respondent’s answers biasing them and making them invalid