Self-Report Techniques

Question 1

What are the Strengths/Weaknesses of unstructured interviews?

Answer 1

Strengths:
- Flexibility in an unstructured interview, follow up points making it likely to gain insights into worldview of interviewee, including unexpected info
Weaknesses:
- May lead to interviewer bias, analysis is not straightforward , researcher sift through irrelevant info (time-consuming)
- Interviewees may lie for social desirability bias Skilled interviewer should be able to avoid this

Question 2

What is the difference between a structured and an unstructured interview?

Answer 2

• Structured interview involved pre-set questions asked in a fixed order. Unstructured interview has few or no pre-arranged questions

Question 3

What are the strengths/weaknesses of a structured interview?

Answer 3

Strengths:
- Straightforward to replicate due to standardised format. Reduces differences between interviewers
Weaknesses:
- Deviation from topic is not possible or explain answers, limit richness of data collected as well as limit unexpected info

Question 4

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 4

• Most common kind of ‘everyday’ interview: there are some pre-set questions but follow-ups are asked as the interview develops

Question 5

What are strengths/weaknesses of questionnaires?

Answer 5

Strengths:
- Cost-effective, can gather large amounts of data quickly because they can be distributed to large numbers of people
- Can be completed without researcher present, reducing effort
- Data produced is straightforward to analyse. If fixed-choice closed questions, data is statistically analysed
Limitations:
- Responses may not be truthful (want to present themselves in a positive light), demand characteristic known as social desirability bias
- Often produce response bias, respondent replies in a similar way/ at favoured end of a rating scale

Question 6

What is a Questionnaire?

Answer 6

• Pre-set list of questions to record thoughts and feelings

Question 7

What is the distinction between open and closed questions?

Answer 7

• Open questions do not include a fixed range of answers. In closed questions respondents are directed to a fixed set of responses from which they have to choose

Question 8

What is an interview?

Answer 8

• Mostly face-to-face interaction though some may be conducted over the phone