Self-Report Techniques

Question 1

Questionnaires

Answer 1

Made up of a pre-set list of written questions (or items) to which a participant responds.
They can be used as part of an experiment to assess the DV

Question 2

Two Strengths of Questionnaires

Answer 2

+ Can be distributed to lots of people. Can gather large amounts of data quickly and the researcher need not to be present when completed. Reduces the effort involved and makes questionnaires cost-effective

+ Respondents may be willing to open up. Respondents may share more personal information than in an interview as they are less self-conscious. There may be less chance of social desirability bias compared to an interview

Question 3

Two Limitations of Questionnaires

Answer 3

• Responses may not always be truthful. Respondents tend to present themselves in a positive light. Therefore, social desirability bias is still possible
• Response bias. Respondents may favour a particular kind of response. This means that all respondents tend to reply in a similar way

Question 4

Interviews

Answer 4

Face-to-face interaction between an interviewer and interviewee

Question 5

Structured Interview

Answer 5

List of pre-determined questions asked in a fixed order

Question 6

One Strength of a Structured Interview

Answer 6

+ Easy to replicate. Straightforward to replicate because of standardised format. This format also reduces differences between interviewers

Question 7

One Limitation of a Structured Interview

Answer 7

• Interviewees cannot elaborate. Interviewees cannot deviate from the topic or elaborate their points. This may be a source of frustration for some

Question 8

Unstructured Interview

Answer 8

There are no set questions.
There is a general topic to be discussed but the interaction is free-flowing and the interviewee is encouraged to elaborate

Question 9

One Strength of an Unstructured Interview

Answer 9

+ There is greater flexibility. Unlike a structured interview, points can be followed up as they arise. More likely to gain insight into interviewee’s worldview

Question 10

One Limitation of an Unstructured Interview

Answer 10

• Difficult to replicate. Such interviews lack structure and are not standardised. Greater risk of interviewer bias

Question 11

Semi-Structured Interviews

Answer 11

List of questions that have been worked out in advance but interviewees are free to ask follow-up questions when appropriate

Question 12

Three Tips for Writing Good Questions

Answer 12

Avoid jargon
Avoid double-barrelled questions
Avoid leading questions

Question 13

Closed Questions

Type of Data?

Answer 13

Respondent has limited choices.

Data is quantitative

Question 14

One Strength of Closed Questions

Answer 14

+ Easier to analyse. Can produce graphs and charts for comparison. Makes it easier to draw conclusions

Question 15

One Limitation of Closed Questions

Answer 15

• Respondents are restricted. Forced into an answer that may not be representative of true feeling. Therefore, this may reduce the validity of the findings

Question 16

Open Questions

Type of Data?

Answer 16

Respondents provide their own answers expressed in words.

Data is qualitative

Question 17

One Strength of Open Questions

Answer 17

+ Respondents not restricted. Answers more likely to provide detailed, unpredictable information. Therefore, likely to have more validity than statistics

Question 18

One Limitation of Open Questions

Answer 18

• Difficult to analyse. Wider variety of answers than produced by quantitative data. Therefore, may be forced to reduce data to statistics

Question 19

Interview Schedule

Answer 19

A standardised list of questions that the interviewer needs to cover, can reduce interviewer bias

Question 20

Quiet Room

Answer 20

Will increase the likelihood that the interviewee will open up

Question 21

Rapport

Answer 21

Begin with neutral questions to make participants feel relaxed

Question 22

Ethics

Answer 22

Remind interviewees that answers will be treated in confidence