Self Report techniques and design

Question 1

What is an advantage of questionnaires ?

Answer 1

1) Can be distributed to lots of people
This means it can gather large amounts of
data quickly and the researcher doesn’t
need to be present when completed
This reduces time and effort and makes
cost effective .

2) Straightforward to analyse
Statistical data can be converted into graphs and charts for comparison

Question 2

What is a disadvantage of questionnaires ?

Answer 2

1) Responses may not always be truthful , Respondents tend to present themselves in a positive light , thus social desirability is possible

2) Response bias
Respondents may favour a particular type of response , e.g they always agree , this means all respondents tend to reply in the same way

Question 3

What is a structured interview ?

Answer 3

A list of predetermined questions in a fixed order

Question 4

What is an unstructured unstructured interview ?

Answer 4

No set questions there is a general topic to be discussed and the interviewee is encouraged to elaborate

Question 5

What is an advantage of a structured interview ?

Answer 5

Easy to replicate due to standardised format and reduces differences between interviewers

Question 6

What is a disadvantage of a structured interview ?

Answer 6

Interviewers cannot deviate from chosen topic or elaborate on questions this limits the richness of data collected

Question 7

What is an advantage of a unstructured interview ?

Answer 7

There is greater flexibiity and points can be followed up as they arise , more likely to collect unexpected information

Question 8

What is a disadvantage of an unstructred interview ?

Answer 8

Interviewer bias , closer dialogue between interviewer and interviewee this means more opportunity for unconscious cues .

Question 9

What is a closed question ?

Answer 9

Respondent has limited choices
Data tends to be quantative

Question 10

What is a open question ?

Answer 10

Participant gives own answers in expressed words
Data tends to be qualatitive

Question 11

What is an advantage of a closed question ?

Answer 11

Can be easily analysed and produce graphs and charts which makes it easier to draw conclusions from

Question 12

What is a disadvantage of a closed question ?

Answer 12

Responses are limited , respondents may be forced into an answer that doesn’t represent there true feelings which may reduce validity of the findings

Question 13

What is an advantage of an open question ?

Answer 13

Responses are not restricted , this allows more detailed answers , more external validity than statistics

Question 14

What is a disadvantage of open question ?

Answer 14

Difficult to analyse , due wider amount of questions may be forced to reduce data to statistics