Self-report methods

Question 1

What are questionnaires

Answer 1

A self-report method of gathering data that can be conducted face-to-face, on the telephone or through the post

Question 2

What are the two types of questions that can be asked in questionnaires

Answer 2

Open and closed

Question 3

What are open questions

Answer 3

Questions that allow the participant to speak freely

Question 4

What are closed questions

Answer 4

Questions where participants must give a set answer

Question 5

Strength of open questions

Answer 5

They allow the researcher to obtain in-depth detail about the topic being asked

Question 6

Weakness of open questions

Answer 6

May lead to subjectivity because the researcher is using their own interpretation of what the participant has written

Question 7

Strength of closed questions

Answer 7

No subjectivity involved in interpreting answers

Question 8

Weakness of closed questions

Answer 8

Lose detail obtained from open questions

Question 9

What are interviews

Answer 9

A self report method where the participant is asked questions and the researcher either writes it down or records to interview to transcribe later

Question 10

What are the three types of interviews

Answer 10

Structured, unstructured and semi-structured

Question 11

What is a structured interview

Answer 11

The interview is like a job interview with pre-determined questions that are put to every participant in the same way

Question 12

What is an unstructured interview

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What are semi-structured interviews

Answer 13

Interviews that contain both structured and unstructured questions allowing the interviewer to gain further information where needed

Question 14

Strengths of questionnaires

Answer 14

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

Question 15

Weaknesses of Questionnaires

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Pros of interviews

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Weaknesses of interviews

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Pros of structured interview

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Cons of structured interview

Answer 19

Comparability difficult if interviewer behaves differently

Interviewer bias

Question 20

Pros of unstructured interview

Answer 20

More detailed information can be obtained

Question 21

Cons of unstructured interviews

Answer 21

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

Question 22

When do researchers use case studies

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What is a case study

Answer 23

A research method that involves a detailed analysis of a person, group or event

Question 24

What is a peer review

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What are the aims of peer reviews

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What are the drawbacks of peer review

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Strengths of peer review

Answer 27

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

Question 28

What is an economic implication

Answer 28

The effect something might have on this system