Research Methods : Self Reports

Question 1

Questionnaire definition/purpose

Answer 1

Used to assess thoughts and feelings of participants.

Question 2

Strengths of Questionnaires

Answer 2

• Can gather large amounts of data
• Can be completed without researcher present
• Cost efficient

Question 3

Weaknesses of Questionaires

Answer 3

• Can produce respose bias/demand characteristics
• Participants may misinterpret the questions
• May not always be truthful (may show themselves in a good light)

Question 4

Open Question definition

Answer 4

Respondents can answer in any way they wish

Question 5

Open Question strengths

Answer 5

Detailed answers

Question 6

Open Question weaknesses

Answer 6

Difficult to analyse data fron open questions

Question 7

Closed Question definition

Answer 7

There is a fixed choice of responses determined by the researcher

Question 8

Closed Question strengths

Answer 8

Quantitative data is easy to analyse

Question 9

Closed Question weaknesses

Answer 9

Lack depth/detail

Question 10

Closed Question examples + definitions

Answer 10

Likert scales : scale from agree to disagree

Rating scales : identify a value that represents the strength of a feeling

Fixed choice option : respondents can indicate options from a list

Question 11

Interview definition

Answer 11

A live encounter where one person asks a set of questions (interview schedule)

Question 12

Structured interview definition

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Structured interview strengths

Answer 13

• Easy to standardise
• Reduces differences between interviews
• Less time consuming
• Easier to analyse

Question 14

Structured interview weaknesses

Answer 14

• It’s not possible to ask follow up questions
• Lacking in detail/ depth if the participant wants to expand on answer

Question 15

Unstructured interview definition

Answer 15

There are no set questions, there is a general aim and topic to reach

Question 16

Unstructured interview strengths

Answer 16

• More flexible
• More detail
• Can follow up on answers to gain more insight
• Similar to a conversation, makes participant comfortable

Question 17

Unstructured interview weaknesses

Answer 17

• Difficult to analyse
• Time consuming
• Firm conclusions are difficult to come to
• Impossible to standardise

Question 18

Semi-structured interview definition

Answer 18

Lists of questions but follow up questions can be asked

Question 19

Semi-structured interview strengths

Answer 19

• Can ask follow up questions
• Very flexible
• Easy to analyse some parts of data

Question 20

Semi-structured interview weaknesses

Answer 20

• Difficult to replicate exactly
• Difficult to analyse some parts of data

Question 21

What to avoid : Leading Questions

Answer 21

Encourages respondants to give a particular answer

Question 22

What to avoid : ambiguity

Answer 22

Questions which can be interpreted in various ways

Question 23

What to avoid : loaded questions

Answer 23

Include emotive language which can encourage respondants to give particular answers

Question 24

What to avoid : jargon

Answer 24

Technical language that participants won’t understand

Question 25

What to avoid : double-barrelled questions

Answer 25

Contains 2 questions but can only answer with 1 answer

Question 26

What to avoid : negatives/double negatives

Answer 26

Can confuse participants

Question 27

What to avoid : complex questions

Answer 27

Long complicated questions

Question 28

What to avoid : impossible questions

Answer 28

Questions that are impossible to answer

Question 29

What should you avoid when making questions?

Answer 29

Leading questions
Ambiguity
Loaded questions
Jargon
Double-barrelled questions
Negatives/double negatives
Complex questions
Impossible questions