self report techniques

Question 1

what are self report techniques?

Answer 1

this is where the participants give information to the researcher, provide details of their own thoughts/feelings/behaviours
this involves responding to questions during questionnaires and interviews

Question 2

what are questionairres?

Answer 2

the participants answer a set of written questions
they are used to assess the dependent variable, they are also used to assess thoughts or feelings

Question 3

AO3: what are some strengths to questionnaires?

Answer 3

they are easier to get lots of responses/data as participants may be more willing to tell the truth as it is not face-to-face (they are anonymous)

Question 4

AO3: what are some limitations to questionnaires?

Answer 4

there is no opportunity to elaborate on your answer and the responses may not always be truthful as participants may display demand characteristics.

Question 5

what are interviews?

Answer 5

when the participants answer a set of questions delivered in person (usually face-to-face)

Question 6

AO3: what are strengths to interviews?

Answer 6

the interviewers are able to pick up on cues and the participants behaviours
the participants and researchers were also able to ask for clarification on both the questions and the answers

Question 7

what is general advice for designing a questionnaire or interview?

Answer 7

should be no ambiguous questions
no leading questions
start with the less challenging and non threatening questions
include questions that hide true aim of the questionnaires/interviews
use a representitve sample
do a pilot study to test out the questions before hand
use both open and closed questions

Question 8

what are the 3 closed question types?

Answer 8

likert scale
rating scales (semantic differentials)
fixed response set

Question 9

what is the likert scale?

Answer 9

the respondent indicates (dis)agreement with a statement using a scale of 5 points

Question 10

what are rating scales (semantic differentials) ?

Answer 10

respondents identify a rating that represents their strength of feeling between two opposite outcomes

Question 11

what’s a fixed response set?

Answer 11

it includes a list of possible options and respondents are required to indicate those that apply to them

Question 12

what are open question types?

Answer 12

these are written in a way that will encourage the participant to give more details.
use command words/phrases such as:
explain…
how…
give details about…

Question 13

what are structured interview types?

Answer 13

they are questions that are asked in a set order for every participant
the interviewer will not alter the questions asked or probe beyond the answers recieved

Question 14

AO3: what is a strength to structured interviews?

Answer 14

high reliability as by using the same set of questions they can easily replicate the interviews

Question 15

AO3: what are limitations to structured interviews?

Answer 15

the answers from structured interviews lack detail. this means that the researchers won’t know why a person behaves in a certain way.

Question 16

what are unstructured interview types?

Answer 16

an interview schedule may not be used (no set questions)
or it will contain open ended questions/ areas of interest that can be asked in any order
some questions might be added/missed as the interview progresses
interviewer may pursue particular avenues

Question 17

AO3: what is a strength to unstructured interview types?

Answer 17

have increased validity because it gives the interviewer the opportunity to probe for a deeper understanding, ask for clarification and allow interviewees to steer the direction of the interview etc…

Question 18

AO3: what is a limitation to unstructured interview types?

Answer 18

employing and training interviewers is expensive and not as Cheap as collecting data via questionnaires. e.g. certain skills may be needed by the interviewer such as knowing when to probe and including the ability to establish rapport

Question 19

what is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 19

it is a list of questions that have been worked out in advance but interviewers are free to ask follow up questions based on previous answers

Question 20

what is quantitative data?

Answer 20

data that is measured in number quantities

Question 21

what kind of questions produce quantitative data?

Answer 21

closed questions

Question 22

AO3: what is a strength to quantitative data?

Answer 22

easier to analyse so are able to produce data faster.

Question 23

AO3: what is a limitation to quantitative data?

Answer 23

the data may be less valid due to having to choose an inaccurate response

Question 24

what is qualitative data?

Answer 24

data that expresses the quality of things- descriptions, pictures, texts

Question 25

how can qualitative data be turned into quantitative data?

Answer 25

qualitative data can be placed into categories in order to be turned into quantitative data (content analysis can identify categories)

Question 26

what kind of questions produce qualitative data?

Answer 26

open ended questions

Question 27

AO3: what is a strength to qualitative data?

Answer 27

as individuals are able to elaborate and explain their answers, it can lead to more in-depth information and therefore can have higher validity

Question 28

AO3: what is a limitation to qualitative data?

Answer 28

as it is worded and many answers can be different, it is harder to analyse due to the wider range of answers

Question 29

what are some tips to writing good questions?

Answer 29

clarity is essential to writing questions for interviews and questionnaires.
if respondents misinterpret particular questions, it has a negative impact on the quality of information recieved

Question 30

why is overuse of jargon bad?

Answer 30

jargon refers to the technical terms used in specialised fields
it is unnecessary complex, best questions are simple and easy to understand

Question 31

what is emotive language and leading questions?

Answer 31

when a researchers attitude towards a particular topic is clear from the way the question is phrased

Question 32

what are double barrelled questions and double barrelled negatives?

Answer 32

a double barrelled question contains 2 questions in one, the issue being that respondents may agree with one half of the question but not the other
questions that contain a double negative can be difficult for respondents to decipher