Self reports

Question 1

What are the 3 key points to writing a good question

Answer 1

1 Avoid bias
2 Gathers data that can be thoroughly analysed
3 Ensures clarity

Question 2

What is avoiding bias

Answer 2

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)

Question 3

What does it mean to gather data that can be thoroughly analysed

Answer 3

Questionnaire should try to include questions that are qualitative and quantitative data to understand how people behave and why

Question 4

What does it mean to ensure clarity

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What are the features of a closed question

Answer 5

Can be analysed by descriptive statistics
restrict the answers given by the respondant to a set of forced choice options
must indicate fixed response

Question 6

What are the features of tick lists

Answer 6

The respondent is given a range of options and they select all the applicable answers

Question 7

What are the features of “select the answer most appropriate”

Answer 7

The respondent may be given a selection of options and chooses the one closest to them

Question 8

What are the features of the semantic differential scale

Answer 8

Measures peoples reactions to stimulus words or concepts using opposite scales (two opposing adjectives)

Question 9

What are the features of the linkert scale

Answer 9

The respondent is given a statement and asked to indicate the extent to which they agree with the statements

Question 10

What is a feature of the numbered rating scale/attitude scale

Answer 10

The respondent indicates a rating for each item given

Question 11

What are the strengths of closed questions

Answer 11

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

Question 12

What are the weaknesses of closed questions

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What are the features of open ended questions

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What are examples to start an open ended question

Answer 14

What do you think about …
Why do you feel …
Explain …
Describe …

Question 15

What are the strengths of open questions

Answer 15

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

Question 16

What are the weaknesses of open questions

Answer 16

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

Question 17

How are ethics used in questionnaires

Answer 17

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

Question 18

How are ethics used in questionnaires (2)

Answer 18

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

Question 19

What are the 3 types of interviews

Answer 19

Structured interviews
Unstructured interviews
Semi structures interviews

Question 20

What are the features of a structures interview

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What are the strengths of a structured interview

Answer 21

Set list of questions- standardized procedure another researcher could take the same pre planned questions and replicate so increases internal reliability

Question 22

What are the weaknesses of a structured interview

Answer 22

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

Question 23

What are features of unstructured interview

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What are the features of a semi structured interview

Answer 24

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

Question 25

What are the strengths of unstructued or semi structured interviews

Answer 25

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

Question 26

What are the weaknesses of unstructures or semi structured interviews

Answer 26

Difficult to replicate as spontaneous questions will differ for each participants
limits the ability to standardise so itll lower internal relibility

Question 27

Why are questionnaires better than interviews

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Why are interviews better than questionnaires

Answer 28

Participant can ask to clarify an answer so more valid
More insight can be gained
Other interesting lines of enquiries can be explored

Question 29

How can you evaluate social desirability as a whole

Answer 29

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