Self Report Techniques

Question 1

What is a self report technique? Give an example.

Answer 1

Research methods in which participants give information about themselves without researcher interference.

E.g. questionnaires or interviews.

Question 2

What are questionnaires?

Answer 2

PP being given a set of questions with instructions about how to record their answers.

Can be used to explain an endless range of issues, such as personality, attitudes and beliefs.

Can consist of closed/ fixed choice items.

Question 3

What are close-ended (fixed) questionnaires?

Answer 3

Involves yes/no answers (for example, do you believe in UFOs? ‘yes’ or ‘no’) or a range of fixed responses (for example, do you eat meat ‘always’, ‘usually’, ‘sometimes’, ‘never?).

Such answers are easy to quantify, but restrict participants’ answers.

Question 4

What are open-ended questionnaires?

Answer 4

More realistic as in everyday life (allow participants to answer in their own words).

They are also potentially richer and deeper in detail, allowing greater freedom of expression - but this makes them difficult to analyse.

For example, what kinds of music do you like and why?

Question 5

State 2 advantages of a questionnaire.

Answer 5

Inexpensive.

Practical.

Fast results.

Scalability.

Comparative.

Easy to analyse.

Anonimity.

Question 6

State 2 weaknesses of a questionnaire.

Answer 6

Dishonest answers (if no anonimity).

Questions could be skipped.

Interpretation issues.

Analysis may be complex.

Survey fatigue.

Question 7

In 2004, Coolican identified the following reasons as to why it’s hard make a good questionnaire in 4 ways. State them.

Answer 7

Complexity:
Some questions (items) may be too difficult to understand.

Ambiguity:
Item can be interpreted in more way than one.

Double-barrelled items:
Item contains 2 questions and asks the PPs for a yes/no response.
A participant may want to give a yes response to one question and a no to the other.

Leading questions:
Items that contain within it implications that a certain response is expected.

Question 8

When designing a questionnaire, what should be considered?

Answer 8

Aim:
An exact aim helps, then it’s easier to write questions to address this.

Length:
Short and to the point to reduce dropout rate.

Previous questionnaires:
Use as a basis if they have been successful.

Pilot study:
An initial study to test whether the questionnaire obtains the desired feedback and results.

Measurement scales:
Statements on which participants rate levels of agreement or disagreement.
E.g. PPs may select a response from, usually a 5-10 point scale, based on their opinions, feelings or briefs.

Question 9

What are interviews? Give an example.

Answer 9

Involve researchers asking face-to-face questions.

For example Bowlby’s (1944) study of maternal deprivation in juvenile thieves.

Question 10

What are three main types of interview?

Answer 10

Structured, unstructured and semi-structured.

Question 11

Outline structured interviews.

Answer 11

Quantitative research method.

Aim of the approach is to ensure that each interview is presented with the exact same question in the exact some order.

When you want to reduce PP bias and objective answers.

Time reduction -> mass questionnaire.

Interviewers do not need much training, as such interviews are easy to conduct.

Question 12

Outline semi-structured interviews.

Answer 12

Flexible structure.

Uses the test of the interview to generate questions.

Explores participants thoughts and feelings.

Delve deeply into personal issues.

Involves combining structured and unstructured techniques, producing quantitative and qualitative data.

Question 13

Outline unstructured interviews.

Answer 13

Aim of the approach is to ask questions that are no pre-arranged.

Unfolds much like a conversation.

When you want the PP to talk in depth, developing a real understanding of the situation.

Involves an informal discussion on a particular topic.

Interviewers need considerable training and skill to conduct such interviews.

Question 14

State 2 advantages and disadvantages of structured interviews.

Answer 14

Easy to compare.
Reduced bias opinions.
Performed faster.

Lacks PP depth.
Lacks a full situational understanding.

Question 15

State 2 advantages and disadvantages of semi-structured interviews.

Answer 15

Moderately quick to perform.
Allows for elaboration.
Allows for in-depth responses.

Data analysing is time consuming.
Unpiloted answers/questions may lead away from the objective of the study.
May not be ecologically valid.

Question 16

State 2 advantages and disadvantages of unstructured interviews.

Answer 16

Easy qualitative method.
Less hierarchical.
Respondents don’t feel pressured.

Time consuming.
Requires both researcher and PP to have good inter-personal skills.
Depth of information depends on the trust between researcher and PP.

Question 17

State 2 advantages of interviews.

Answer 17

Complex issues:
Complicated or sensitive issues can be dealt with in face-to-face interviews by making participants feel relaxed and able to talk.
This is particularly true of unstructured interviews.

Ease misunderstandings:
Any misunderstood questions can be explained and individual questions can be adapted so they are understood by all participants.

Data analysis:
Semi-structured interviews produce both quantitative and qualitative data, which can be used to complement each other.
Structured interviews produce quantitative data that can be easily analysed.

Replication:
The more standardised or structured an interview, the easier it is to replicate.
Unstructured interviews are less easy to replicate but it should be possible for other researchers to review data produced.

Question 18

State 2 weaknesses of interviews.

Answer 18

Interviewer effects:
Interviewers may unconsciously bias answers, like by their appearance.
For example, women may be less willing to talk about sex with male interviewers.
Interviews are also subject to demand characteristics and social desirability bias.

Interview training:
A lot of skill is required to carry out unstructured interviews, particularly concerning sensitive issues, and such interviewers are not easy to find.

Ethical issues:
Participants may not know the true purpose of an interview and there is also the danger that participants may reveal more than they wish.

Participant answers:
Interviews are not suited to participants who have difficulty putting their feelings, opinions, etc. into words.

Question 19

What must be considered in the design of an interview?

Answer 19

Decisions need to be made about who would make the most appropriate interviewer.

Question 20

State two interpersonal variables that affect interviewer decision.

Answer 20

Gender and age:
The sex and age of interviewers affect participants’ answers when topics are of a sensitive sexual nature.

Ethnicity:
Interviewers may have difficulty interviewing people from a different ethnic group to themselves.

Personal characteristics and adopted role:
Interviewers can adopt different roles within an interview setting, and use of formal language, accent and appearance can also affect how someone comes across to the interviewee.

Question 21

What did Word et al (1974) find about ethnicity in interviews?

Answer 21

Found that white participants spent 25% less time interviewing black job applicants than white applicants.