Self-report

Question 1

self report method

Answer 1

involves psychologist asking questions to participants Only method that allows us to gather the thoughts and feelings of participants

Question 2

questionnaires

Answer 2

a paper or computer based set of questions designed to collect information about a number of different topics

Question 3

closed questions

Answer 3

generate quantitative data and restrict the answers given by the respondent to a set of options provided by the questionnaire

Question 4

examples of closed questions

Answer 4

yes/no questions
tick lists
select the answer most applicable

Question 5

rating scales

Answer 5

numerical scale whereby respondents can indicate the strength of their feeling towards something

Question 6

examples of rating scales

Answer 6

Likert scales
semantic differential scale

Question 7

strength of closed questions

Answer 7

produces quantitative data which can be summarized, presented and compared between participants or conditions

Question 8

weakness of closed questions

Answer 8

they only produce quantitative data meaning that there is no detail or reasons behind answers given

Question 9

strength of rating scales

Answer 9

provides more detail than simple yes/no question

Question 10

weakness of rating scales

Answer 10

subjective as people may interpret ratings and terms differently

Question 11

open questions

Answer 11

invite the respondent to answer in any way that they want producing qualitative data

Question 12

strength of open questions

Answer 12

researcher can collect qualitative data such as feelings and experiences which gives much more insight than can be obtained by a closed question

Question 13

weakness of open questions

Answer 13

information gained is qualitative so is difficult to analyze and make comparisons between participants

Question 14

how to check for internal validity in a questionnaire

Answer 14

put repeat questions in the questionnaire which are worded slightly different. If respondent gives two very different answers their data is classified as unreliable

Question 15

split half method

Answer 15

IR - here scores from two halves of the test are compared. Must only be used for things measured on a scale, psychometric, IQ, or personality

Question 16

External reliability

Answer 16

results should be consistent if the study is repeated. Can’t say we have ER unless we have repeated the study

Question 17

test re-test method

Answer 17

respondents complete the questionnaire once and then the same questionnaire again. If the first answers corelate to the second test answers the questionnaire is said to be externally reliable

Question 18

evaluation apprehension

Answer 18

participant’s concern about being tested
questionnaires a good method because they are often confidential and don’t know they are being assessed so more likely to honest if theory answers can’t be traced back to them

Question 19

social desirability

Answer 19

tendency for respondents to answer questions that present them in a better light

Question 20

why do researchers add in ‘filler’ questions

Answer 20

to try and limit social desirability bias, they are not aware of what is being examined

Question 21

why should researcher conduct a pilot study when designing a questionnaire

Answer 21

check understanding of questions and check clarity of questions. May also check for boredom

Question 22

strength of questionnaires

Answer 22

quick to administer and analyze and target lare sample sizes

Question 23

weakness of questionnaires

Answer 23

risk that respondents may respond to demand characteristics and tick the boxes that they think the researcher wants them to tick rather than the ones that express their true opinion

Question 24

interviews

Answer 24

similar to questionnaires in that they ask the participants questions but unlike questionnaire the questions are either asked face to face or over the telephone

Question 25

structured interview

Answer 25

questions are pre-determined. Interviewer reads out a list of questions which have been carefully planned. Researcher can’t deviate from these questions

Question 26

strength of structured interview

Answer 26

can easily be repeated as the questions are the same each time - check for reliability

Question 27

weakness of structured interview

Answer 27

validity may be affected as restricted questions force an answer which may not be a true measure of a particular attitiude

Question 28

unstructured interviews

Answer 28

interviewer goes along with the flow of the conversation and can freely ask questions allowing more freedom of converation

Question 29

strength of unstructured interviews

Answer 29

Interviewer can freely ask questions allowing for freedom of conversation of topics meaning more information can be gathered

Question 30

weakness of unstructured interviews

Answer 30

as a variety of questions can be asked it can be difficult to replicate and the analysis of the data may be complex making comparisons between participants difficult

Question 31

semi structured interviews

Answer 31

when some questions are predetermined requiring some specific information to be gathered. Researcher can ask for some clarification and follow up a set question with an unplanned question in an attempt to gain further insight

Question 32

strength of semi structured interviews

Answer 32

Interviewer can add to the pre-determined questions allowing for freedom of conversation topics - gains better insight into true thoughts and feelings

Question 33

weakness of semi structures interviews

Answer 33

as a variety of questions may be used it may be difficult to replicate

Question 34

strength of self reports

Answer 34

only method that allows us to gain access to participant’s thoughts and feelings

Question 35

weakness of self reports

Answer 35

risk of social desirability bias. Participants may want to present themselves in the most positive light possible therefore we can’t be sure we are measuring true thoughts and feelings, reducing validity of our results