RM - Self-Report Methods

Question 1

Strength of Questionnaires:

Answer 1

can be given to a large sample of ppl → researcher not present when ppts fill questionnaire=↑ generalisability → unlike interview, researcher=present, limiting amount of ppl it can be conducted on → ↓ generalisability

Question 2

2 Weaknesses of Questionnaires:

Answer 2

1. social desirability → may lie to present themselves in the best possible light (context) →↓ internal validity → interview = face to face = ↓ social desirability = may find it more difficult to lie face to face
2. misinterpretation of questions→ ppt may not understand question, researcher not present, can’t ask for clarification, question left or give invalid info → researcher could misinterpret/not understand ppt’s answer and can’t ask for clarification → ↓ internal validity → interview = researcher present = ppt/researcher can ask for clarification = ↑ internal validity

Question 3

Strength of Interviews (Overall (not structured/ unstructured))

Answer 3

time consuming and expensive = can’t be conducted on lots of ppl → as they’re face to face so require a 1:1 with the researcher → unlike questionnaire, less time consuming and expensive = can be given to lots of ppl to complete and don’t take as much time as they don’t require a 1:1 with the researcher

Question 4

Weakness of Interviews
(Overall (not structured/ unstructured))

Answer 4

prone to investigator effects → researcher=present, behaviours (reaction to response) and appearance (e.g gender) could influence the ppt to respond in a certain way → affects outcome of study and ↓ internal validity → unlike questionnaire, researcher not present and therefore less prone to IEs

Question 5

What is a structured interview?

Answer 5

• Pre-set Qs before interview is carried out
• Less likely to deviate from the topic
• Interviewer can’t ask any extra Qs based on the information provided
• Each interviewee given the same Qs in the same order.

Question 6

Strength of Structured Interview:

Answer 6

ppts given same Qs → can compare responses and identify trends easier about (context) → unlike unstructured, ppts get different questions so it’s harder to make comparisons and identify trends

Question 7

Weakness of Structured Interview:

Answer 7

researcher can’t deviate from pre-set list of Qs → can’t follow up on new lines of enquiry → don’t get a full understanding
of behaviour (context) → unlike unstructured, where questions can be developed based on ppt’s previous answers so they can follow up on new lines of enquiry

Question 8

What is an unstructred interview?

Answer 8

General topic of discussion but no set Qs so each interviewee gets different Qs
Qs based on ppt’s response so follow up Qs can be asked if an interesting point has been brought up
Qs are more likely to be open Qs

Question 9

Strength of Unstructured Interview:

Answer 9

researcher can allow the person to go into more depth with responses as Qs are based on responses of interviewee → can gain a deeper understanding of the ppt’s behaviour (context) → ↑ internal validity → unlike structured, ppts can only answer a set list of Qs where there is no deviations

Question 10

Weakness of Unstructured Interview:

Answer 10

hard to identify patterns and trends → all ppts are asked different Qs about (context) → making the responses harder to analyse and make comparisons between → unlike structured, where all ppts get the same Qs