Research Methods : Self Reports Flashcards
What’re self reports
Methods of gathering data where Ps provide info about themselves (thoughts, feelings, opinions, etc)
Advs of self reports
• rich, qualitative data
• can help explain reasons behind behaviour
• easy to get her a large amount of data
• can ask hypothetical questions
Disadvs of self reports
• Ps may try and come off in a socially acceptable way - social desirability bias
• only useful if P is willing to disclose info
• Ps much have the introspective ability to understand their own thoughts and feelings
• acquiescence bias - people tend to agree with statements
• Ps may misinterpret questions
• Ps may have forgotten/ not know how to answer
What’re questionnaires
Where Ps are given pre-set questions to answer. Ideally, questions should progress logically from least sensitive to most and the researcher should ensure that the answer to a question isn’t influenced by previous questions
Types of questionnaires
• likely scale (strongly disagree - strongly agree)
• rating scales (1-10)
• closed questions (yes or no)
• open questions (describe… tell me about…)
Questionnaires ads
• socially desirability bias reduced (no interviewer + anonymous)
• large amount of data collected quickly
• quantitative data easier to analyse
Questionnaire disads
• given options may not represent P’s true opinion
• quantitative data is less rich
What’s cronbach’s alpha?
The measure of internal consistency of items within a questionnaire
What’s a psychometric measure?
Quantifies knowledge, abilities, attitude and personality traits
What’re closed questions?
Where only a certain amount of choices available as answers - quantitative
What’re open questions?
Allow Ps to guide full, detailed answers were there is no restriction on what can be said - qualitative
What’re standardised instructions?
A set of written/ recorded instructions given to Ps to ensure they all receive them in the same way
What’re filler questions?
Questions put into questionnaires/ interviews to disguise the aim of the study
What’s an interview?
An experimenter asking Ps questions (generally one to one) and recording their answers
What’re structured interviews?
Have predetermined questions
Structures interviews ads
• can be replicated
• reduces differences between interviews
• quick to conduct
Structured interviews disads
• interviews cant deviate from the topic of elaborate points
• quantitative data
What’re unstructured interviews?
Less stricture, may start with prepared questions then new ones might develop depending on answers given
Unstructured interviews ads
• collection of rich, qualitative data
• allows researcher to follow up and seek clarification
Unstructured interviews disads
• difficult to analyse (qualitative date)
• interviewers may not be truthful due to social desirability bias
What’re semi-structured interviews?
A mix of strutted and unstructured (often most successful)
What’s an interview schedule?
A list with a set of structured questions that have been pre-prepared
What’s an interview transcript?
A written record of everything said during the interview
