Self-report(research methods)

Question 1

What is self- report

Answer 1

A self report is any method which involves asking a participant directly about their feelings, attitudes, beliefs, behaviours and so on

Question 2

What two types of questions in questionnaires are used in self report

Answer 2

Open questions

Closed questions

Question 3

What are open questions

Answer 3

Participants can answer how they want (qualitative data)

Question 4

What are closed questions

Answer 4

Participants choose between a number of fixed choice questions (quantitative data)

Question 5

Data collection methods

Answer 5

Fixed choice question
Rating scales
Semantic differential scale

Question 6

What is a fixed choice question

Answer 6

Usually yes or no, multiple choice

Question 7

What is rating scales method

Answer 7

Range of answers to choose from
Often likely scale is used
Numerical

Question 8

What is semantic differential scale

Answer 8

Scale using contrasting descriptive words

Question 9

Self report - interviews

Methods

Answer 9

Structured - predetermined set of questions
Non-structured- no questions are decided in advance
Semi structured - sometimes interviews can have elements of both structured and non- structured design

Question 10

Self report - psychometric tests

Answer 10

These are objective tests designed to measure educational achievement, knowledge, attitudes, or personality traits
A series of standardised closed questions are used, to measure a mental characteristic such as IQ, emotional intelligence and personality tests

Question 11

Personality tests traits

Answer 11

Extroversion(E) is the personality trait of seeking fulfilment from sources outside the self or community, high scorers tend to be very social while low scorers prefer to work in their projects alone
Aggreableness(A) - reflects how much individuals adjust their behaviour to suit others. High scorers are typically polite and liked people. Low scorers tend to ‘tell how it is’
Consiousness(C) is the personality trait of being honest and hardworking. High scorers tend to follow rules and prefer clean homes. Low scorers may be messy and cheat others
Neurotism(N) - is the personality test of being emotional
Openness to experience(o) is the personality test of seeking new experience and intellectual pursuits. High scorers May Day dream a lot. Low scorers may be very down to earth

Question 12

Strengths of self report methods

Answer 12

• able to study large samples of people to identify patterns in data
• able to examine large numbers of variables
• way of gaining an insight into peoples own behaviours, thoughts and feelings
• questionnaires can be anonymous- likely to get a more accurate response( ethical, valid)

Question 13

Weaknesses of self report methods

Answer 13

Participants not always truthful( low validity)

• social desirability bias, ppts wishing to portray themselves in a positive way ( low validity)
• demand characteristics, ppts answering questions to please the researcher ( low validity)
• unstructured can be time consuming no and structured can limit a ppts answers

Question 14

How to make a well- designed questionnaire

Answer 14

1) start with a brief sentence to explain the purpose of the questionnaire m, and what data will be used for
2) the questionnaire should have a clear structure, and questions dealing with similar aspects should be grouped together
3) make it clear how ppts are to answer the questions- avoid ambiguity
4) don’t not ask ‘uncomfortable’ questions
5 consider ethics