Self Report Techniques

Question 1

What is a closed question?

Answer 1

present P’s with limited number of responses (yes/no)

Question 2

What are strengths of a closed question?

Answer 2

• quantitative data

easy to answer and analyse

Question 3

What are weaknesses of a closed question?

Answer 3

not a lot of options to answer

Question 4

What is a open question?

Answer 4

requires explanations from P’s

Question 5

What are strengths of a open question?

Answer 5

• qualitative data

rich, detailed

Question 6

What are weaknesses of a open question?

Answer 6

• P’s may not be keen to complete

- sometimes difficult and time consuming to answer

Question 7

What are rating scale questions?

Answer 7

Q’s that measure the strength or the extent of an answer

Question 8

What are strengths of rating scale questions?

Answer 8

• more detailed quantitative data

- easy to analyse and make comparisons

Question 9

What are weaknesses of rating scale questions?

Answer 9

• P’s may show response bias (always choosing middle answer or answers that have a pattern)

Question 10

What is a pilot study?

Answer 10

dry run to check all key elements that increases reliability and validity.

Question 11

What are strengths of questionnaires?

Answer 11

• quick and easy to use

- can gather a lot of data quickly

Question 12

What are weaknesses of questionnaires?

Answer 12

• prone to bias
• response patterns
• poor return rate
• P’s can misinterpret of Q’s

Question 13

What are the 6 things to consider when making a questionnaire?

Answer 13

Aim
Length
Previous questionnaires 
Question formation
pilot study 
measurement scales

Question 14

What should you consider about the aim of a questionnaire?

Answer 14

shouldn’t be too obvious but P’s should be informed about general purpose.

Question 15

What should you consider about the length of a questionnaire?

Answer 15

should be long enough to gather enough data but not too long so that P’s don’t want to complete it

Question 16

What should you consider about the previous questionnaires of a questionnaire?

Answer 16

if there are other questionnaires testing what you are testing, you can use questions from there

Question 17

What should you consider about the Q formation of a questionnaire?

Answer 17

a range of question type/styles. Q’s should be unambiguous.

Question 18

What should you consider about the measurement scales of a questionnaire?

Answer 18

decide in advance how each Q should be ‘scored’ (i.e. high score = positive attitude towards somethings)

Question 19

What is a structured interview?

Answer 19

a set of Q’s that asked - same for all P’s

Question 20

What is a strength of a structured interview?

Answer 20

standardised

Question 21

What is a weakness of a structured interview?

Answer 21

inflexible

Question 22

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 22

no standard questions but interviewer gives prompts to indicate discussions

Question 23

What is a strength of a unstructured interview?

Answer 23

super flexible

Question 24

What ares some weaknesses of a unstructured interview?

Answer 24

• no standardisation

- risk of not getting suitable information

Question 25

What is a semi-structured interview?

Answer 25

a set of questions that are same for all P’s but there is room for all discussions

Question 26

What are strengths of a semi-structured interview?

Answer 26

flexible

Question 27

What are strengths of general interviews?

Answer 27

• can be tailored to suit the purpose of the research

- P’s may answer more fully on a one to one situation

Question 28

What are weaknesses of general interviews?

Answer 28

• characteristics of interviewer may influence responses (e.g. tone of voice)
• takes more time and some P’s may be less willing to participate.