Self report

Question 1

Define self-report method

Answer 1

A way to obtain data via asking ppts directly of information about themselves e.g feelings, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors etc.

Question 2

Define questionnaire

Answer 2

A series of questions in written form or electronically for the respondent to answer to

Question 3

Define open questions

Answer 3

Allows the participant to answer however they want; no restriction

Question 4

Define closed questions

Answer 4

Participants choose between a number of fixed choice answers

Question 5

Define qualitative data

Answer 5

Non-numerical data; provides descriptions

Question 6

Define quantitative data

Answer 6

Numerical data

Question 7

In terms of type of data collected, what is the difference between open and closed questions?

Answer 7

Open questions - qualitative data: rich in detail and ppts can respond however they want + context
Closed questions - quantitative data: consistency yet lacks in context/ detail

Question 8

What are the 3 types of data collection methods?

Answer 8

Fixed choice question
Rating scale
Semantic differential scale

Question 9

Define fixed choice questions

Answer 9

Questions phrased in a way that respondent has to make a fixed choice answer, usually ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

eg. Do you revise? Yes No

Question 10

Define rating scale questions

Answer 10

Where the participant has to state where along the scale they position themselves. Examples could be a likert scale or a semantic differential scale.

Question 11

Define Likert rating scale

Answer 11

Measures the attitudes of participants.
An attitude statement is given and participants indicate on the scale how much they agree with the statement.

“Psychology is the most important subject ever”. Circle one answer.

Strongly agree Agree Unsure Disagree
Strongly Disagree

Question 12

Define semantic differential scale

Answer 12

Scale using two contrasting words ( positive and negative descriptors).
Responses can then be analyzed using the point scale between the two extremes.

How did the chocolate taste… (Circle one number).

Delicious 7 Yummy 6 Nice 5 OK 4 Edible 3 Disgusting 2 Vomit inducing 1

Question 13

Define interview

Answer 13

Questions are asked faced-to-face and the interviewer records the responses

Question 14

Define structured interview

Answer 14

Predetermined questions with fixed closed questions

Question 15

Define non-structured interview

Answer 15

No predetermined, fixed closed questions: open questions with the topic in discussion.

Question 16

Define semi-structured interview

Answer 16

Fixed list of open and closed questions + additional questions if required.
Timing and phrasing determined by interviewer.

Question 17

Define psychometric tests

Answer 17

A series of standardized, closed questions to measure a mental characteristic such as IQ, emotional intelligence, and personality traits.

It isn’t influenced by the examiner’s own beliefs due to objectivity.

Question 18

Advantages of self-report methods

Answer 18

• Able to study large samples of people to identify patterns in data
• Able to examine large number of variables
• Way of gaining an insight into people’s views on behaviors, thoughts and feelings.
• Questionnaires can be anonymous – likely to get a more accurate response (ethical, valid).
• Statistical analysis of data – comparisons, trends etc.
• Standardized procedures (reliable)

Question 19

Disadvantages of self-report methods

Answer 19

• Ppts not always truthful (low validity)
• Social desirability bias – ppts wishing to portray themselves in a positive way (low validity)
• Demand characteristics – ppts answering the questions to please the researcher (low validity)
• Questions are not always clear, has the ppt really understood the question? Subjective.
• Unstructured can be time consuming and structured can limit a ppt’s answers.