Self-report techniques

Question 1

Self-report techniques? AO1

Answer 1

-a research method in which particpants give information about themselves without researcher interference
-questionnares and interviews are common

Question 2

Self-report techniques? QIC: Q AO1

Answer 2

Questionnare!
-made up of a list of pre-determined questions to which participants respond (can be both closed and open)
-record own answers
-questions usually about behaviour,opinions or attitudes
-likert scale is common

Question 3

Self-report techniques? QIC: Q AO3

Answer 3

S1:Quick-large amounts of info can be gathered in short period of time from a large sample
L1: Misunderstanding/misinterpretation of questions giving mixed,inaccurate results BUT could be avoided through a pilot study
S2: standardised questions so easy to replicate
L2: sample could be biased as questionnares could attract certain types of people e.g the unemployed who have lots of free time

Question 4

Self-report techniques: QIC: Q+I types of questions? CO: C

Answer 4

Closed questions!
-simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers or range of fixed responses such as ‘often’ or ‘rarely’
-easy to score but restrict participants’ answers -> can produce quantitative data

Question 5

Self-report techniques: QIC: Q+I types of questions? CO: O

Answer 5

Open questions!
-allow participants to answer in their own words
-difficulty analysing but greater depth in information and freedom of expression -> can produce qualitative data

Question 6

Self-report techniques: QIC: I

Answer 6

Interviews!
-involve researchers asking face-to-face questions
-researchers need training in how to interview (cost money)
-can also involve closed or open questions
-must take special care when interviewing vulnerable groups e.g children

Question 7

Self-report techniques: QIC: I types of interview? US: U

Answer 7

Unstructured interview!
-informal interview
-a ‘guided conversation’ where questions are aksed in any order, some questions added or missed
-open-ended questions used
-considerable training and skill required

Question 8

Self-report techniques: QIC: I types of interview? US: S

Answer 8

Structured interview!
-formal interview
-questions asked in a set/standardised order + no deviation from established schedule
-based on closed-ended questions
-not much training needed

Question 9

Self-report techniques: QIC: I AO3

Answer 9

S1: Complex issues can be explored through interviews
L1: Interview training is costly and requires lots of skill
S2: Would ease misunderstandings that could occur in questionnares

Question 10

Self-report techniques: QIC: C AO1

Answer 10

Case Studies!
-in-depth,detailed investigations of one individual/small group
-usually include biographical details,behavioural information and experiences of interest
-typically gathered from variety of sources using different methods (e.g observations & interviews)
-info obtained likely to be qualitative
-research is longitudinal
-e.g Clive Wearing amnesia patient

Question 11

Self-report techniques: QIC: C AO3

Answer 11

S1: provides detailed, rich qualitative inforamtion - info relates to a real person, not an average gathered by many
L1:difficult to generalise to wider population as lacks a representative sample