Self-report Methods

Question 1

Define ‘self-report’ and examples

Answer 1

A method in which a person is asked to state/explain their feelings/opinions/behaviours.
Eg. Interviews and questionnaires.

Question 2

Define ‘open question’.

Answer 2

A question that does NOT have a set range of answers.

Question 3

What are 3 types of closed questions?

Answer 3

1. Likert scale - uses a 5-point scale from strongly agree to strongly disagree.
2. Rating scale - participants give a value to represent their strength of feeling on a topic.
3. Fixed choice option - a list of possible options are given for participants to choose from.

Question 4

What is a structured interview?

Answer 4

Made up of a pre-determined set of questions asked in a fixed order.

Question 5

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 5

No set questions. New questions developed based on previous answers.

Question 6

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 6

Has a set of questions but also free to ask follow-up questions.

Question 7

What is an interview schedule and why should it be standardised?

Answer 7

The list of questions that the interviewer intends to cover. Should be standardised to reduce the effect of interviewer bias.

Question 8

What are 2 strengths of using questionnaires?

Answer 8

1. Cost-effective - gather large amounts of data quickly. Can be easily distributed.
2. Respondents more willing to give personal information in a questionnaire than in an interview where they might feel self-conscious.

Question 9

What are 2 limitations of using questionnaires?

Answer 9

• Social desirability bias
• Acquiescence bias

Question 10

What are two strengths of using structured interviews?

Answer 10

1. Easy to replicate due to standardised format.
2. Easier to analyse as answers are more predictable.

Question 11

What are two limitations of using structured interviews?

Answer 11

1. Not possible to deviate from the topic which may limit richness and validity of data
2. Predetermined questions may not be relevant data for the investigation.

Question 12

3 Strengths of using unstructured interviews?

Answer 12

• More flexible - allow interviewer to gain insight.
• Increased validity as interviewer can clarify or probe for a deeper understanding
• Rich qualitative data collected.

Question 13

What are 2 limitations of using unstructured interviews?

Answer 13

1. Interviewer bias in terms of questions asked and interpretation of responses to form follow up questions
2. Difficult to draw conclusions from potentially irrelevant info.

Question 14

5 things to avoid when constructing a questionnaire.

Answer 14

• Leading questions
• Emotive language
• Jargon/fancy language
• Double-barrelled questions
• Double negatives

Question 15

How can double-barrelled questions be an issue when designing questions?

Answer 15

If a question contains two questions in one, the respondent may agree with the first part but not the second.

Question 16

What is a questionnaire

Answer 16

Written questions to assess a persons thoughts/ experiences