Self-Report Techniques

Question 1

Self-Report Techniques

Answer 1

Questionnaires and Interviews

Question 2

Questionnaires

Answer 2

Most common type of self-report. Involve pre-set list of written questions to which participant responds. Use these to assess thoughts and/or feelings. Used by experiment to assess dependent variable.

Question 3

Open Questions

Answer 3

Does not have a fixed range of answers so free to answer in any way. Tend to produce data that contains wide range of different responses that may be difficult to analyse.

Question 4

Closed Questions

Answer 4

Offers fixed response. Collected from a scale or yes/no question. Normally produces quantitative data easier to analyse but lacks depth and detail, if does produce qualitative data can be easily converted.

Question 5

Q Strengths

Answer 5

Cost effective as can gather large amounts of data quickly as distributed easily and less effort as conducted without researcher present.
Data produced is easy to analyse so statistical analysis can be done so comparisons made.

Question 6

Q Weaknesses

Answer 6

Responses may not be truthful but present them in a positive light leading to social desirability bias.
Response bias as may complete questions too quickly so don’t read questions properly or naïvely.

Question 7

Interviews

Answer 7

Structured, Unstructured, Sem-Structured

Question 8

Structured

Answer 8

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

Question 9

S Strengths

Answer 9

Easy to replicate due to their standardised format. Reduces differences between interviewers.

Question 10

S Weaknesses

Answer 10

Not possible for interviewers to deviate from topic or elaborate on points which may be source of frustration.

Question 11

Unstructured

Answer 11

No set questions but certain topics will be discussed. Interaction is free flowing. Interviewee encouraged to expand and elaborate answers.

Question 12

U Strengths

Answer 12

Deviate from topic and elaborate on points so results more valid.

Question 13

U Weaknesses

Answer 13

Difficult to replicate as does not have standardised format so difficult to compare results.

Question 14

Semi - Structured

Answer 14

List of questions worked out in advance but also free to ask follow-up questions.

Question 15

Semi Strengths

Answer 15

Flexible as interviewers can follow up points as they arise giving greater insight which increases validity.

Question 16

Semi Weaknesses

Answer 16

Following up points and gain insight which could lead to interviewer bias.
Qualitative data isn’t easy as have to sift through irrelevant information which is difficult and time consuming so drawing conclusions may be hard and subjective.
Risk interviewees may lead to social desirability bias.