self reports

Question 1

what are the two types of self-report?

Answer 1

questionnaires and interviews

Question 2

what is meant by self-reports?

Answer 2

any data that is collected that asks people to report on their thoughts, feelings or behaviours

Question 3

questionnaires are always…

Answer 3

structured

Question 4

what does structured mean?

Answer 4

the interviewer uses pre-set questions and participants will choose their response from a list of fixed alternative responses

Question 5

what is an advantage of structured interviews?

Answer 5

they allow standardised procedures to be used, so results are reliable

Question 6

what is an disadvantage of structured interviews?

Answer 6

participants may not answer truthfully, they wish to present themselves in a socially acceptable manner (social desirability effect)

Question 7

what does semi-structured mean?

Answer 7

an interviewer uses pre-set questions, but the participants responses are not fixed as they can express their own views (a job interview)

Question 8

what is an advantage of semi-structured interviews?

Answer 8

you can ask each participant the same question, so answers are more easily comparable

Question 9

what is an disadvantage of semi-structured interviews?

Answer 9

interviewers must be skilled and trained to be able to ask follow up questions in each interview

Question 10

what does unstructured mean?

Answer 10

an interviewer will not use pre-set questions, and instead ask participants to comment on a particular topic in their own words, allowing them to express their views freely

Question 11

what is an advantage of unstructured interviews?

Answer 11

you are more likely to get honest answers, as participants would be more comfortable in this scenario, leading to more honest answers

Question 12

what is an disadvantage of unstructured interviews?

Answer 12

every interview is unique, and every answer will be different, therefore, results are hard to compare or spot patterns especially without the risk of biased interpretation

Question 13

what does open-ended questions mean?

Answer 13

these questions allow people to describe what they are thinking or feeling about a particular topic in their on words

Question 14

what data is formed from open-ended questions?

Answer 14

qualitative

Question 15

what is an advantage of open-ended questions?

Answer 15

qualitative data gives the researcher a better understanding of why people may feel or think in a certain why, the data is valid

Question 16

what is a disadvantage of open-ended questions?

Answer 16

the data suffers from the risk of bias, e.g demand characteristics, especially participants who may suffer from social desirability

Question 17

what does closed questions mean?

Answer 17

these questions force people to choose from a list of possible answers, for example by ticking a box

Question 18

what data is formed from closed questions?

Answer 18

quantitative

Question 19

what is an advantage of closed questions?

Answer 19

quantitative data allows for easier statistical analysis and therefore, conclusions are drawn clearer without any bias interpretation

Question 20

what is a disadvantage of closed questions?

Answer 20

the data provides no reason why people may think, feel or act in a certain why

Question 21

what does clarity mean?

Answer 21

ensuring the questions are written clearly, and that participants are able to understand them. otherwise, the answers provided will be meaningless, reducing the validity

Question 22

what does bias mean (in self reports)?

Answer 22

researchers must be careful to avoid leading questions, pushing someone towards an answer, as this affects the reliability of the results

Question 23

what is social desirability bias?

Answer 23

when people answer questions in a way that makes them look ‘better’
to prevent this people can be put on a lie-scale, to help produce valid results

Question 24

what are ethics (in self reports)?

Answer 24

the idea that ethical guidelines must always be observed before, during and after the questionnaire/interview

Question 25

what is data analysis?

Answer 25

the way data is analysed is based on the questions that are asked

Question 26

what are rating scales?

Answer 26

a numerical scale on which a participant indicates a choice by selecting one number, so providing quantitative data
e.g 1 2 3 4 5

Question 27

what is a likert scale?

Answer 27

a type of question that measures attitudes using statements
e.g strongly agree, agree, disagree, strongly disagree…

Question 28

what is a semantic differential rating scale?

Answer 28

where a participant rates their response between two opposing pair of descriptive words
(see booklet for example)

Question 29

what self-report did we do?

Answer 29

we did a self-report on whether students enjoy our college?
using a variety of open and closed questions to answer questions such as..
if they enjoyed their lessons? they like their teachers? they enjoy the food? and drinks? how they felt about transport? and their opinion on our facilities? enrichment? aspire? etc.