Self - report surveys and questionnaires

Question 1

Features

Answer 1

• Involves participants giving information to the researchers about their views opinions or attitudes on a specific topic i.e. they self-report.
• PT’s typically respond to questions on a questionnaire or during an interview.
• They can be structured (with set Q’s) or unstructured (more flexability).
• Needs to have a combination of both open and closed questions.

Question 2

Advantages of Open Questions

Answer 2

Provides rich, detailed data. This is because it allows participants to express their deeper thoughts and feelings on a subject.

Question 3

Disadvantages of open questions?

Answer 3

Difficult to statistically analyse.

Question 4

Advantages of closed questions?

Answer 4

Easier to statistically analyse. We can put it on a graph and see patterns and measurements.

Question 5

Disadvantages of closed questions?

Answer 5

WIth closed questions they lose their rich detail because it is usually a one answer question with a number and no explanation to why it’s the answer.

Question 6

Evaluation - strengths

Answer 6

• Data can be collected in multiple forms and so it is a cost effective means of collecting data e.g. social Media, email letters and newspapers.
• They are an efficient way of collecting Reliable data, especially when they use closed questions.

Question 7

Evaluation - Weaknesses

Answer 7

Internal validity is compromised by social desirability: Respondents may try to create a favourable impression of themselves e.g. responsdents may underestimate how many units of alcohol they drink per week. This may make the findings inaccurate because it won’t measure it is supposed to be measuring this type of EV can be classed as a PT variable.