Self-reports Flashcards
SELF REPORT
research method which obtains data by asking Ps to provide info about themselves and their behaviour
QUESTIONNAIRE
involves a pre-set list of written qs. and psychologists use them to assess thoughts and feelings
+ cost effective
+ can be distinguished easily - allows for large samples to produce lots of data
+ can be completed with/without researcher being present
+ less effort to distribute and conduct than other research methods
+ produce quantitative data - easy to analyse and compare
- they can lie (renders data invalid)
- they can act in a socially desirable fashion (bias)
- often produce response bias (answering yes repeatedly)
- they may not answer the qs. properly as they might rush questionnaire
TYPES OF QUESTIONNAIRES
PAPER AND PENCIL:
+ more convenient for on the spot research
+ internet not needed
- cost + time to print
- Ps need to physically be there
ONLINE:
+ can research more Ps
+ quick and cheap
+ automatic data input
- needs internet to be able to use tech
POSTAL:
+ can post internationally
+ relatively quick and easy
- cost + time to print and post
- people may move address
- low return rate
TYPES OF QS. : CLOSED
self report items that produce quantitative data - analyse a few fixed choice of answers
- LIKERT SCALE - Ps respond with their level of agreement with a statement along a scale
- RATING SCALE - Ps give their answer in the form of a number along a determined scale
- FORCED/FIXED CHOICE - scale doesn’t give neutral/don’t know option, forces people to answer (e.g yes no - agree disagree)
+ quick to answer
+ forced choice = more answers
+ easy to analyse and present data
- views may not fit in answers available
- may not explain behaviour fully
- have to list choices when writing qs.
- can lower validity of results
TYPES OF QS. : OPEN
- allows to give full, detailed answers
- qs. starts with ‘why’ / ‘how’
- produce qualitative
- lowers risk of missing important behaviours
+ Ps response is not limited
+ prompts in-depth, qualitative, detail-rich answer
+ deeper insight into behaviour, opinions, and attitudes
- hard to code/analyse statistically
- may have low inter-rater reliability as researchers interpret differently
FILLER QS.
items put into a self-report to disguise the aim of the study by hiding important qs. among relevant ones
LEADING QS.
can cause Ps to answer in a way which is not reflective of their real pov
PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS
carefully design, standardised, valid, and reliable tests of specific characteristics (personality traits, knowledge, skills, disordered thinking etc.) (e.g IQ tests, Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule [ADIS])
+ objective
+ quantitative
+ quick
+ cost effective
- risk of demand characteristics/stress when completing
CEILING EFFECT
majority gets a high score
FLOOR EFFECT
majority gets a low score
INTERVIEWS
a research method that involves the use of verbal qs. asked directly to gather data
INTERVIEW: STRUCTURED
made of predetermined set of qs. , asked in fixed order, like in questionnaire but conducted face to face /on the phone
+ highly replicable cuz of standardised format
+ format reduces differences between interviews
- respondents can not elaborate on their points which may make them frustrated - valuable info lost
INTERVIEW: SEMI STRUCTURED
falls somewhere in between, predetermined set of qs. but interviewers are free to ask follow up qs. where they feel appropriate
+ answers more likely to be fully investigated
- less replicable/harder to compare answers
- risk of researcher bias
INTERVIEW: UNSTRUCTURED
works like a conversation, no set qs., a general aim that a certain topic will be discussed and interaction tends to be free-flowing, interviewee is encouraged to expand on their answers as prompted by interviewer
+ more flexibility
+ interviewer can follow up on points to gain insight into the worldview of the interviewee
- difficult to analyse data - lots of irrelevant information collected, drawing firm conclusions may be difficult
- respondents can lie
- respondents can act in socially desirable manner
