Research Methods - Self Reporting Methods Flashcards
What are self reporting methods
Non experimental methods/techniques used to ask people questions about their experiences and/or beliefs
What is a questionnaire
A set of questions designed to collect info about a topic/topics
What are the strengths of a questionnaire
- you can collect the same information from a large number of people relatively easy
- you can access what people think directly - no guessing
What are open questions
Questions that allow participants to answer however they wish
What are the features of open questions
- generates qualitative data (words)
- no fixed number of responses to select from
- responses provide rich & detailed data - provide insight into the unique human conditions
What are the strengths of open questions
- less chance of research bias (if anonymous)
- less chance of the responses being inflicted by researcher’s expectations
What are the limitations of open questions
Social desirability bias
What are closed questions
Questions that restrict participants to a predetermined set of responses
What are the features of closed questions and what are the different types
- generates quantitative (numerical) data
DIFFERENT TYPES: - checklist
- ranking scale
- likert response scale
What are the strengths of closed questions
Data generated is easy to analyse statistically - direct comparisons can be made
What are the limitations of closed questions
- Questions are unable to pursue & explore different interests
- response bias ( person doesn’t read all the questions and gives the same answer for everything)
What do you need to make sure of when you design questionnaires
- 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
What is a structured interview
An interview that contains predetermined questions (usually delivered face-to-face)
What are the strengths of a structured interview
- collects specific data researcher wants
- they are replicable and the data is reliable & consistent
- easier to analyse & see trends ( produces quantitative data)
What are the limitations of a structured interview
The researcher decides which questions are important & may miss particular info participant finds important
What is an unstructured interview
An interview with less structure and the questions are developed as you go along
What are the strengths of an unstructured interview
- interviews can go into more depth & detail ( produces rich qualitative data)
- researcher may be given new lines enquiry not thought of
What are the limitations of an unstructured interview
- Interviewees can go on a tangent and give irrelevant info
- can’t be replicated
- difficult and time consuming to analyse
What is a semi structured interview
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
What is the interview effect
The appearance/behaviour of the interviewer influencing the respondent’s answers biasing them and making them invalid
