Self-report methods Flashcards
What are questionnaires
A self-report method of gathering data that can be conducted face-to-face, on the telephone or through the post
What are the two types of questions that can be asked in questionnaires
Open and closed
What are open questions
Questions that allow the participant to speak freely
What are closed questions
Questions where participants must give a set answer
Strength of open questions
They allow the researcher to obtain in-depth detail about the topic being asked
Weakness of open questions
May lead to subjectivity because the researcher is using their own interpretation of what the participant has written
Strength of closed questions
No subjectivity involved in interpreting answers
Weakness of closed questions
Lose detail obtained from open questions
What are interviews
A self report method where the participant is asked questions and the researcher either writes it down or records to interview to transcribe later
What are the three types of interviews
Structured, unstructured and semi-structured
What is a structured interview
The interview is like a job interview with pre-determined questions that are put to every participant in the same way
What is an unstructured interview
Interviews are like a casual conversation meaning there are no set questions and the participant is given the opportunity to raise whatever topics he/she feels are relevant and ask them in their own way
What are semi-structured interviews
Interviews that contain both structured and unstructured questions allowing the interviewer to gain further information where needed
Strengths of questionnaires
Once you have written them you can use them for lots of people cheaply and quickly
respondents may feel comfortable to reveal personal/ confidential information
questionnaires with open questions can provide unexpected answers which can lead to further research
Weaknesses of Questionnaires
Sample can be biased due to who is willing to fill it out
Questionnaires using closed questions limit the response- but easier to summarise
Can take a lot of time to design
Can only be filled out by those who can read and write
Pros of interviews
Flexibility: Interviews are more flexible than questionnaires because questions can be adapted based on the respondent’s answers.
Validity: One-on-one interviews allow participants to express themselves without constraints, making them highly valid.
Qualitative data: Unstructured interviews use open questions to generate qualitative data
Weaknesses of interviews
Social desirability bias:
Participants may try to present themselves in a positive light, leading to inaccurate responses on sensitive topics.
Interviewer bias:
The interviewer’s own personal biases can influence how they interpret responses and ask questions.
Self-report limitations:
Participants may not have complete insight into their own thoughts and feelings, leading to unreliable data.
Pros of structured interview
Can be easily repeated because questions are standardised
Different people can be compared due to the standardised questions
Answers are easier to analyse due to being predictable
Cons of structured interview
Comparability difficult if interviewer behaves differently
Interviewer bias
Pros of unstructured interview
More detailed information can be obtained
Cons of unstructured interviews
Requires interviewer with more skill because the interviewer has to develop more questions
Questions may lack objectivity due to the quick nature of creating the questions
More expensive due to the need for experienced interviewer
Interviewer bias
When do researchers use case studies
When they are looking to gather information on an individual or small group of people. The people being studied are normally pretty unique and are studied with the aim of uncovering answers the scientific world needs
What is a case study
A research method that involves a detailed analysis of a person, group or event
What is a peer review
An independent assessment process that takes place before a research study is published and is undertaken by other experts in the same field of psychology
What are the aims of peer reviews
To provide recommendations about whether the research should be published or not or whether it needs revision
Checks the validity of research
Assess the appropriateness of the procedure and methodology
Judge the significance of the research to wider context
Assess the works originality and ensure that other relevant research is detailed
What are the drawbacks of peer review
Since peer reviews are often anonymous, there is a possibility that they will use this as a means to criticise rivals in their filed of psychology which can lead to inaccurate or unfair criticism
it is sometimes difficult to find a suitable peer- a possible consequence of this is that research which is not of high quality will be passed as suitable for publication as the researcher did not fully comprehend the aims or content. Can also lead to publication bias
Strengths of peer review
Peer review helps to prevent any substandard research from entering the mainstream which serves to protect the reputation of the discipline.
Less opportunity for plagiarized work or duplications of research to be published. This means that journals who publish the work will be trusted for the articles that they disseminate
What is an economic implication
The effect something might have on this system
