Self-Report Key Terms

Question 1

A written method of gaining data. It may be completed by the participant or the researcher (who records the answers given by the participant). Doesn’t necessarily require the presence of the researcher

Answer 1

Questionnaire

Question 2

A type of interview that may contain a topic area for discussion but no fixed questions or ways of answering

Answer 2

Unstructured interview

Question 3

A participant is given a set question to respond to, but there is a blank left underneath the question so participants can answer in whatever style they choose

Answer 3

Open question

Question 4

When respondents have to choose one item from the limited range available. Often seen as a criticism, implying a lack of validity as the answer that a respondent may want to give is not available for them to choose

Answer 4

Closed question

Question 5

Technical term for the person who completes a questionnaire

Answer 5

Respondent

Question 6

A type of interview that contains fixed predetermined questions and ways of replying (making use of fixed questions)

Answer 6

Structured interview

Question 7

This comprises a number of statements (not questions), for each of which participants indicate wether they strongly agree/ agree/ undecided/ disagree/ strongly disagree

Answer 7

Likert scale

Question 8

The tendency to give the same answer in response to all the different statements

Answer 8

Standard response set

Question 9

When participants give answers that they think will present them in a good light

Answer 9

Socially desirable

Question 10

Technical term for the person who is interviewed

Answer 10

Interviewee

Question 11

A type of interview in which the interviewer has a set of pre-prepared questions to ask and are expected to ask all of them. Other questions will be developed during the interview in response to answers given by the interviewee

Answer 11

Semi structured interview

Question 12

This involved direct verbal questioning of the participant by a researcher (face-to-face or over the phone etc.)

Answer 12

Interview

Question 13

An attitude object is given followed by a series of paired words. There are a number of spaces between each pair of words in which the respondent indicates where they would place their feelings in relation to the attitude object

Answer 13

Semantic differentials

Question 14

A type of question that may cause the participant to be more likely to give a particular answer. Often seen as criticism

Answer 14

Leading question