Self-report techniques (interviews and questionnaires)

Question 1

What are three types of closed questions

Answer 1

1. likert scales
2. rating scale
3. fixed choice option

Question 2

Give an advantage of using closed question

Answer 2

Provides quantitative data which is easy to analyse

Question 3

Give disadvantage of using closed questions

Answer 3

Lacks depth and detail

Question 4

Give an advantage of using open questions

Answer 4

Provides qualitative data which is rich/detail

Question 5

Give a disadvantage of using open questions

Answer 5

Hard to analyse

Question 6

What are 3 types of interviews

Answer 6

1. structured
2. unstructured
3. semi-structured

Question 7

What is a structured interview

Answer 7

Made up of pre-determined set of questions asked in a fixed order

Question 8

What is an unstructured interview

Answer 8

No set questions. Discuss a topic and conversation is free-flowing

Question 9

What is a semi-structured interview

Answer 9

Interview which falls between structured and unstructured. Are a set of questions but also free to ask follow up questions.

Question 10

What is an interview schedule and why should it be standardised

Answer 10

The list of questions that the interviewer intends to cover. Should be standardised to reduce the effect of interviewer bias.

Question 11

Define self-report

Answer 11

Any method in which a person is asked about their feelings/opinions/behaviours

Question 12

What are the two self-report techniques

Answer 12

1. questionnaire
2. interviews

Question 13

What are questionnaires

Answer 13

Written questions to assess a person’s thoughts/experiences

Question 14

What are open question

Answer 14

No fixed range of responses. Participants can give any answer

Question 15

What are closed questions

Answer 15

A fixed number of responses available

Question 16

What are two strengths of using questionnaires

Answer 16

1. cost-effective: gather large amounts of data quickly
2. respondents more willing to give personal information in a questionnaire than an interview where they might feel self-conscious

Question 17

What are two disadvantages of using questionnaires

Answer 17

1. can result in social desirability-bias may not give truthful answers in order to present themselves in a more positive light
2. acquiescence bias- response bias where respondents tend to reply in a similar way (eg. always ticking yes or answering the same favoured end of a rating scale)

Question 18

What are two strengths of using structured interviews

Answer 18

1. easy to replicate due to standardised format
2. easier to analyse as answers are more predictable

Question 19

What are two limitations of using structured interviews

Answer 19

1. not possible to deviate from the topic which may be frustrating
2. interviewer bias- form of investigator effects- interviewer’s expectations may influence answers

Question 20

What is a strength of using unstructured interviews

Answer 20

More flexible- allow interviewer to gain insight into a world of interviewee

Question 21

What are three limiations of using unstructured interviews

Answer 21

1. interviewer bias
2. requires interviewers with skill as have to develop new questions on the spot- more expensive to produce
3. difficult to draw firm conclusions from potentially irrelevant information