Self-report Techniques

Question 1

Questionnaires - open and closed questions

Answer 1

• preset list of questions that a pts responds to
• used to access thoughts and feelings

Open questions:
- doesnt have a fixed range of answers, pts free to answer in any way they wish
- produce qualitative data - wide range of different responses

Closed questions:
- fixed number of responses e.g. yes or no
- quantitative data is easy to analyse but lacks detail

Question 2

Evaluate questionnaires

Answer 2

Strength:
-> cost effective - gather large amounts of data and distribute it quickly.
-> completed without the researcher present - reduces effort
-> easy to analyse due to fixed questions and responses - used in stats analysis

Limitations:
-> responses not always truthful
-> demand characteristics called social desirability bias {pts want them to be seen in a positive light}
-> response bias - picking the same answer each time / acquiescence bias {agree with the items regardless of content in the Q}

Question 3

Interviews

Answer 3

Structured:
- predetermined set of Q that are asked in a fixed order

Unstructured:
- no set questions; there is a general aim that a certain topic may be discussed
- free flowing and interviewees encouraged to expand on answers

Semi- structured:
- list of questions that have been worked out in advance but interviewers are also free to ask follow up Q

Question 4

Evaluate interviews

Answer 4

Structured:
-> easy to replicate - standardised format
-> limited richness of data collected - cant deviate from Q they have

Unstructured:
-> risk of interviewer bias - interviewers have free reign on Q
-> drawing conclusions is hard when lots of data is collected
-> issues with interviewer social desirability bias