Self report techniques

Question 1

What is self report data

Answer 1

when the participant gives information to the researcher/provides details
of own feelings/thoughts/behaviour. It involves responding to questions on a questionnaire/during
interview

Question 2

What is a questionnaire

Answer 2

Participants record their answers to a pre-set list of questions

Question 3

What is a closed question

Answer 3

Researcher determines the range of possible answers in advance (yes/no or number scale)
They are mainly used when factual information is required
Generate quantitative (numerical) data.

Question 4

What are strengths of closed questions

Answer 4

• Produce quantitative data which easy to quantify and analyse.
• Closed questions would present participants with options for their response so the researchers would be able to collate and display the information collected easily.

Question 5

What are limitations of closed question

Answer 5

The amount of information in the answers is very limited because participants only
can only select their answer from the ones that the researcher has provided. This is a limitation because it can
reduce internal validity of the results

Question 6

What are open questions

Answer 6

researcher requires a descriptive answer with no restriction on the response given by the participant

Question 7

What are strengths of open questions

Answer 7

• Produce rich, detailed information (qualitative
  data). Can increase internal validity of the results.
• Allow respondents to interpret the question as they wish to and develop their response with detail or depth – so there is lots of information received.

Question 8

What are limitations of open questions

Answer 8

produce qualitative data.
This is a limitation because such
data is not easy to quantify and analyse so it is difficult to check the reliability of the results

Question 9

What should be considered when constructing a questionnaire

Answer 9

Aims
Length
Previous questionnaires
Question formation
Use a pilot study
Measurement scales

Question 10

What are strengths of questionnaires

Answer 10

No researcher bias
Easy to replicate
Speed of data collection

Question 11

What are limitations of questionnaires

Answer 11

Leading question
Misinterpretation

Question 12

What are the types of interviews

Answer 12

Structured
Unstructured

Question 13

What is a structured intereview

Answer 13

• Made up of a pre-determined set of questions that are asked in a fixed order
• Like a questionnaire but conducted face to face (or over the phone) in real time i.e. the interviewer
  asks a question and waits for a response

Question 14

What is an unstructured interview

Answer 14

• There are no set questions
• There is a general aim that a certain topic will be discussed
• Interaction is free-flowing
• The participant is encouraged to expand and elaborate on their answers as prompted by the interviewer.
• Works like a conversation

Question 15

What are strengths of interviews

Answer 15

Deals w/ misunderstandings

Flexible (Unstructured) - explore complex issues that may be difficult to investigate experimentally

Replicable (Structured)

Question 16

What are limitations of interviews

Answer 16

• May not be valid (Social desirability)
• Interviewer effects
• Long process