Self Report Techniques

Question 1

What are questionnaires?

Answer 1

• a type of self report technique where p’s provide info relating to their thoughts/behaviours
• involves a pre set list of questions
• may also be used as part of an experiment to assess the DV

Question 2

What are open questions?

Answer 2

• doesn’t have a fixed range of answers so respondents are free to answer in any way they wish
• produce qualitative data (rich in depth but difficult to analyse)

Question 3

What are closed questions?

Answer 3

• offer a fixed number of responses so a p answers using a predetermined set of responses
  -produce quantitative data (easier to analyse, lack depth)

Question 4

What are the different types of closed questions?

Answer 4

• checklist (tick the answer that applies)
• likely response (rate on a scale their views/opinions (agree,disagree))
• ranking scale (place a list of items in their preferred order)

Question 5

Strengths of questionnaires

Answer 5

• quick, large amount of info gathered in a short period of time
• can be replicated
• both quantitative and qualitative data
• lack of investigator effects

Question 6

Weaknesses of questionnaires

Answer 6

• p’s may misinterpret questions
• biased samples as certain types of people may be more willing to fill out questionnaires (unrepresentative)
• low response rates
• superficial issues
• social desirability bias (p’s may lie and give answers that they think is expected of them)

Question 7

What should you consider when designing a questionnaire?

Answer 7

• keep terminology simple
• keep short
• be sensitive/no personal questions
• no leading questions
• no questions that make assumptions
• pilot and modify the questionnaire to make sure it is suitable and no improvements need to be made

Question 8

How are questionnaires analysed?

Answer 8

• closed questions provide quantitative data so psychologists will use the median when analysing the data
• this gives correctional data which is plotted on a scattergram to display the relationship between co variables

Question 9

What are interviews and what are the 3 types?

Answer 9

• self report technique which usually takes place on a face to face basis

1. Structured
2. Unstructured
3. Semi structured

Question 10

What are structured interviews?

Answer 10

• have the questions decided on in advance and asked in the exact same order for each interviewee
• interview schedule used and answers recorded by interviewer taking notes

Question 11

What are unstructured interviews?

Answer 11

• conducted like a conversation/discussion rather than asking set questions
• only the topic decided in advance so rich qualitative data produced
• answers usually audio/video recorded

Question 12

What are semi-structured interviews?

Answer 12

• mostly prepared questions but can be supplemented with additional questions as seen fit by the interviewer so can deviate from original questions
• produces rich qualitative data

Question 13

Interview strengths

Answer 13

• sensitive issues can be dealt with face to face
• misunderstood questions can be explained
• strutted interviews can be replicated and the quantitative data can be easily analysed

Question 14

Interview weaknesses

Answer 14

• interviewer effects (may unconsciously bias answers)
• interview training needed
• potential ethical issues as p’s may not know the purpose of an interview or could reveal more than they wish (invasion of privacy)