Self-report Techniques

Question 1

What is a self-report technique?

Answer 1

Any method in which a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings, opinions, behaviours or experiences related to a given topic

Question 2

Questionnaires

Answer 2

A set of written questions used to assess a person’s thoughts and experiences. They may be used to assess the DV

Question 3

Open questions

Answer 3

Questions for which there is no fixed choice of response (respondents can answer in any way they wish)

Question 4

Closed questions

Answer 4

Questions for which there is a fixed choice of responses determined by the question setter

Question 5

Interviews

Answer 5

A live encounter where one person (the interviewer) asks a set of questions to asses an interviewee’s thoughts or experiences. The questions may be pre-set (structured interviews) or may develop as the interview goes on (unstructured)

Question 6

Evaluation of questionnaires

Answer 6

• Cost-effective
• Researcher doesn’t have to be present
• Usually easy to analyse (especially with closed questions)
• Responses may not be truthful (social desirability bias)
• Acquiescence bias (saying yes to everything)

Question 7

Evaluation of structured interviews

Answer 7

• Easy to replicate due to standardised format
• Easier analysis of data
• Limited richness of data (interviewers cannot deviate from the topic to explore)
• Interviewees may lie

Question 8

Evaluation of unstructured interviews

Answer 8

• Richness of data (interviewers can deviate from the topic to explore)
• Increased risk of interviewer bias
• Analysis of data is difficult
• Interviewees may lie