Self-report methods Flashcards
research methods
What’s a self report technique?
One in which the participants give information to the researcher, providing details of their own feelings, thoughts or behaviour
A non-experimental method but can be used to measure the DV in an experiment
Questionnaires/surveys
Interviews
What a closed question?
Predetermined answers and respondents reply by ticking boxes or circling appropriate answers
Produce quantitative data which is easy to analyse
Lack validity due to forced choices
What’s an open question?
When the researcher doesn’t restrict the range of available answers
Lots of detailed verbal information so qualitative data
More difficult to analyse because the range of answers is wide
How do you design a questionnaire?
Short closed questions first so they’re not put off
Don’t use terminology they won’t understand it will reduce the validity
No leading questions
What are the advantages of questionnaires?
Allow a large amount of data to be collected quickly
Convenient as the researcher doesn’t need to be present
What are the disadvantages of questionnaires?
Social desirability bias as they want to present themselves in the best possible light
They might misinterpret the questions
What are interviews?
An alternative method for asking questions with a face to face nature
Useful for gathering more detailed information and enabling a more natural and flexible approach to questioning
What’s a structured interview?
When the researcher had a set list of question
All participants are asked the same questions in the same order
Addition or removal of questions is not allowed
What’s an unstructured interview?
The researcher starts with a vague idea of the topic they want to study and then ask questions around the topic
Participants have a different interview experience as they are asked different questions
What’s a semi-structured interview?
The researcher starts with a basic list of questions but is free to ask add on questions
Good option for studying sensitive topics
What’s a focus group?
Interviewing small groups of people at the same time, rather than individuals
What are the advantages of interviews?
More flexible than questionnaires because the researcher can clarify issues with misunderstanding
Encourage honesty as they can build a relationship with the interviewee
What are the disadvantages of interviews?
Time consuming as one participant is studied at a time
Investigator effects when the personal characteristics of the researcher affects the participants
