Self report methods

Question 1

Define the term self report method?

Answer 1

Any method in which a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings opinions and /or experiences related to a given topic.

Question 2

Define qualitative data

Answer 2

data that is rich in detail and depth

Question 3

eval of qualitative data

Answer 3

• Full of depth and meanings
• Can be hard to analyse results

Question 4

define quantitative data

Answer 4

numerical data

Question 5

eval quantitative data

Answer 5

• Easily comparable as is numerical → graphs and averages made
• Lacks detail and depth

Question 6

Define open ended questions

Answer 6

does not have a fixed answer so respondents are free to answer

Question 7

eval open ended questions

Answer 7

+ gives freedom to elaborate answers providing depth - more truthful

• Difficult to compare / analyse
• Longer time needed to complete → may lead to lower response rate

Question 8

Define closed questions

Answer 8

Offers fixed response such as ‘yes’ or no but using a number scale = quantitative data

Question 9

Eval closed questions

Answer 9

+ Easily comparable as can be numerical → graphs and averages made

• Prevents freedom to elaborate providing in depth answers - less valid

Question 10

Questionnaires def

Answer 10

a pre -set list of questions by which participants respond.

Question 11

EVAL questionnaires strengths

Answer 11

+ cost effective
+ Gather large amounts of data as distributed * easily Representative
* Easy to analyse with statistical analysis - with closed questions especially
* Researcher not present so less bias in responses

Question 12

Questionnaires eval limitaions

Answer 12

• Answers may not be truthful - ppt show social desirability bias
• Response bias > ppt tend to all answer in a similar way
• Acquiescence bias - tendency to agree regardless Qs content
• Leading questions → flaws data
• If Qs misunderstood unable to clarify with researcher

Question 13

Define structured interview

Answer 13

are made up of pre-determined set questions that are asked in a fixed order.

Question 14

Evaluation structured interview

Answer 14

+ Straightforward - easy to replicate as standardised format

– Not able to elaborate or deviate → prevents depth and rich data may limit info

Question 15

define unstructured interview

Answer 15

No set questions so aim is to encourage interviewee to expand and elaborate answers prompted by interviewer

Question 16

unstructured interview strengths

Answer 16

• Much more flexibility → more likely to gain a worldview as able to ask follow up questions
• Able to develop rapport → more likely to increase validity / be truthful

Question 17

Unstructured interviews limitations

Answer 17

• Analysis of data is difficult as have to sift through answers to draw conclusions
• Risk of lie - social desirability bias
• Need a highly trained interviewer

Question 18

Define semi-structured interview

Answer 18

A list of questions worked out in advance but the interviewers are also free to ask more follow up questions.

Question 19

What are the three things closed questions are divided into?

Answer 19

• likert scales
• rating scales
• fixed choice option

Question 20

define likert scale quesitonnaire

Answer 20

One in which the respondent indicates their agreement using a five point scale
Raging from strongly agree - strongly disagree

Question 21

define rating scale quesitonnaire

Answer 21

Gets respondents to identify a value (1-5) that represents their feeling about a particular topic.

Question 22

define fixed choice option quesitonnaire

Answer 22

Includes a list of possible options and respondents indicate what apply to them.

Question 23

What is a pilot questionnaire

Answer 23

in order to identity the confusing questions or hat giveaway the aim

Question 24

Things researchers need to be weary of in questionnaires

Answer 24

• Overuse of Jargon (technical terms only specialists would understand) - causes misunderstanding
  Qs should be easily understood - validity
• Authors attitude toward topic is clear in Q phrasing → researcher bias influence answers
• Leading Qs - guiding people towards an answer
• Doubles barreled questions - some may agree with hald but not the other
• Double negative questions - hard to answer

Question 25

Things researchers need to be weary of in interviews

Answer 25

• Most involve an interview schedule -> list of questions that are needed to be covered
• Should be standardised for each ppt - reduce researcher bias
• 1-1 interviews in a quiet room to increase likelihood of honesty
• Establishing rapport is important

Question 26

strengths of primary research

Answer 26

• Data gathered is more likely to be focused on the purpose of the research
• Less peripheral/redundant information
• Control issues – first hand data can be controlled whereas secondary data may have been gathered under differing conditions