Self reports Flashcards
What are the 3 key points to writing a good question
1 Avoid bias
2 Gathers data that can be thoroughly analysed
3 Ensures clarity
What is avoiding bias
No leading questions so they shouldn’t be written in a biased or leading way should hint in anyway at an expected/desired answer (lowers internal validity)
What does it mean to gather data that can be thoroughly analysed
Questionnaire should try to include questions that are qualitative and quantitative data to understand how people behave and why
What does it mean to ensure clarity
All questions should be written in a clear way that is easy to understand is the people dont understand the question their response is meaningless
What are the features of a closed question
Can be analysed by descriptive statistics
restrict the answers given by the respondant to a set of forced choice options
must indicate fixed response
What are the features of tick lists
The respondent is given a range of options and they select all the applicable answers
What are the features of “select the answer most appropriate”
The respondent may be given a selection of options and chooses the one closest to them
What are the features of the semantic differential scale
Measures peoples reactions to stimulus words or concepts using opposite scales (two opposing adjectives)
What are the features of the linkert scale
The respondent is given a statement and asked to indicate the extent to which they agree with the statements
What is a feature of the numbered rating scale/attitude scale
The respondent indicates a rating for each item given
What are the strengths of closed questions
Allows for patterns and comparisons to be seen more easily = so we can draw conclusions more easily and check for consistency of data so external reliability is increase
Also allows for objective analysis to be formed after questions have been answered = increasing the scientific rigor
What are the weaknesses of closed questions
Due to the closed nature of the questions and the options provided respondent are limited in their answers reducing the insightful nature of their answers = lowered internal validity
Participants are forced to choose certain options that they may not fit into the “best or nearest fit “= may not always be a true reflection and internal validity is lowered
What are the features of open ended questions
Invites the respondent to answer in anyway that they want without having to fit their thoughts, feelings and opinions into categories
produces detailed qualitative data
provides insight into participants thoughts feelings and behavior
What are examples to start an open ended question
What do you think about …
Why do you feel …
Explain …
Describe …
What are the strengths of open questions
The researcher can gather feelings and experiences which gives much more insight that can be obtained by a closed question = increased internal validity
Not forced to choose the most appropriate answer therefore most truthful and representative = Increased internal validiy
What are the weaknesses of open questions
Information is difficult to analyse and make comparisons between participants = makes it more difficult to draw conclusions and check for consistency of data so lowers external reliability
Questions and responses are very subjective and as such are open to misinterpretation by the researcher = reducing scientific nature
How are ethics used in questionnaires
Ps shouldnt be asked embarrassing questions (Protection from participants) and should be reminded that they dont have to answers questions if they dont want to (R2W)
Questionnaires are often anonymous and participants names should not be recorded instead a number is used therefore they are confidential
How are ethics used in questionnaires (2)
Participants should also be aware that once the questionnaire is submitted they will lose theyres right to withdraw
There should be a full debrief at the end of the questionnaire along with a way to access help on issues that may have ben raised by answering the questions to ensure protection from harm
What are the 3 types of interviews
Structured interviews
Unstructured interviews
Semi structures interviews
What are the features of a structures interview
All questions are preplanned before the interview takes place
The researcher wont deviate from the set questions
Questions are carefully planned to elicit certain responses
What are the strengths of a structured interview
Set list of questions- standardized procedure another researcher could take the same pre planned questions and replicate so increases internal reliability
What are the weaknesses of a structured interview
They have to ignore lines of interest so even if participants give interacting response we cant delve any further so must stick to a set list so lowers insight and validity
What are features of unstructured interview
The interview runs very much as a “free flowing “ conversation
Interview may have a couple set questions to start it off but the rest of the questions are spontaneous
What are the features of a semi structured interview
Compromise between the other two
There are some set questions to keep the focus on the specific aim of the study
researcher will spontaneously veer off down any interesting lines of enquiry but bring it to the original topic
What are the strengths of unstructued or semi structured interviews
Scope to obtain further information and can delve deep into unexpected topics or issues such as participants can expand as much as they want so can increase insight and validity
What are the weaknesses of unstructures or semi structured interviews
Difficult to replicate as spontaneous questions will differ for each participants
limits the ability to standardise so itll lower internal relibility
Why are questionnaires better than interviews
More cost and time efficient
Can be more widely distributed so a larger sample
Less risk of social desirability bias as not face to face
Less risk of researcher effects
Why are interviews better than questionnaires
Participant can ask to clarify an answer so more valid
More insight can be gained
Other interesting lines of enquiries can be explored
How can you evaluate social desirability as a whole
Strength- more insight into participants thoughts feelings that we wouldnt normally have from an observation- more useful so enhances knowledge
Social desirability bias so unnatural responses to questions so lowers internal validity
