self-report method

Question 1

What are the types of self-report method?

Answer 1

Interviews & questionnaires

Question 2

What is the definition of an interview?

Answer 2

When a researcher is present and is verbally and directly asking a participant questions

Question 3

What are the different types of interview?

Answer 3

Unstructured, semi-structured and structured

Question 4

What is the definition of an unstructured interview?

Answer 4

When there is a clearly defined general topic of discussion but there are no pre-set questions

Question 5

What are the strengths of an unstructured interview?

Answer 5

• obtains ecologically valid results
• less likely for demand characteristics
• more likely to give honest answers

Question 6

What are the weaknesses of an unstructured interview?

Answer 6

• very reliant on the skills of the interview
• not possible to replicate - making results unreliable

Question 7

What is the definition of a semi-structured interview?

Answer 7

When there is a clearly defined general topic of discussion with some set questions (these are asked each time the interview is conducted) however follow up questions are asked

Question 8

What are the strengths of a semi-structured interview?

Answer 8

• interview flows like a normal conversation - this makes participants more likely to give ecologically valid answers
• less influenced by demand characteristics
• more reliable than unstructured due to the set questions

Question 9

What are the weaknesses of a semi-structured interview?

Answer 9

• reliant on the skills of the interviewer - if they are not trained then they could miss the opportunity to find out the real reasons for behaviour
• time-consuming
• comparing the data (qualitative) is harder to do whilst maintaining validity due to subjective interpretation

Question 10

What is the definition of a structured interview?

Answer 10

When there is a clearly defined topic of discussion with pre-set questions in a pre-determined order

Question 11

What are the strengths of a structured interview?

Answer 11

• most reliable
• interview is replicable
• produces quantitative data which is easy to analyse and compare

Question 12

What are the weaknesses of a structured interview?

Answer 12

• more likely to have demand characteristics (due to formality)
• doesn’t allow the participants to expand on their answers
• data may not be as valid

Question 13

What is the definition of a questionnaire?

Answer 13

Typically a paper set of questions (can be online) that participants complete and then give back to the researcher

Question 14

What is a pilot study?

Answer 14

A small scaled version of the intended study using the questionnaire on a smaller sample of participants

Question 15

Why is using a pilot study useful?

Answer 15

Allows the questionnaire to be modified if there were any confusing questions which gave irrelevant data that is not useful to the investigation

Question 16

What are common problems which can be solved in a pilot study?

Answer 16

• unclear instructions
• badly worded questions
• too long
• leading questions
• use of complex vocabulary

Question 17

What are the strengths of a questionnaire?

Answer 17

• effective and convenient
• collects a lot of data very quickly
• usually produce quantitative data which is easy to analyse and compare
• results are objective making researcher bias less likely

Question 18

What are the weaknesses of a questionnaire?

Answer 18

• low response rate
• bias sample (lacking population validity)
• social desirability
• extraneous variables (such as someone helping them fill out the questionnaire)

Question 19

What are the types of questions used in self-report methods?

Answer 19

Open and closed

Question 20

What is the definition of an open question?

Answer 20

Questions which allow participants to expand on their answers and provide as much detail as they wish.

Question 21

What are strengths of open questions?

Answer 21

• more likely to find out the reasons for behaviour (making results more valid)
• open questions are more realistic therefore making results more ecologically valid

Question 22

What are weaknesses of open questions?

Answer 22

• difficult to analyse due to it producing qualitative data
• data is subjective making researcher bias more likely to affect validity of the results
• comparisons are difficult

Question 23

What is the definition of closed questions?

Answer 23

Questions which allow participants to select answers from pre-determined options

Question 24

What are the types of closed questions?

Answer 24

• forced/ fixed choice
• Likert scale
• rating scale
• ranking scale
• check list
• semantic differential rating scale

Question 25

What are the strengths of closed questions?

Answer 25

• answers produce quantitative data which is easier to analyse and compare (data is objective)
• researcher bias is less likely to affect the validity of the results

Question 26

What are the weaknesses of closed questions?

Answer 26

• data has a ‘narrow range’ so participants are restricted
• cannot explain their answers which may have given insight into their behaviour
• participants may be forced into an option
• answers are not valid when explaining behaviour

Question 27

What type of closed question has its own strengths and weaknesses?

Answer 27

Rating scales

Question 28

What are the strengths of a rating scale?

Answer 28

• allows participants to explain the extent which they agree (gives insight)
• comparisons are easier to make due to producing quantitative data

Question 29

What are the weaknesses of a rating scale?

Answer 29

• central tendency bias (participants picking the middle value to avoid looking extreme) making their response unauthentic
• participants interpret the numbers subjectively