Lesson 3- Self Report Techniques

Question 1

Self report techniques

Answer 1

Research methods in which pps give info about themselves without researcher being present for some of the techniques

Question 2

3 types of interviews

Answer 2

Structured
Unstructured
Semistructured

Interviews involve researchers asking questions in face to face situations

Question 3

Structured interview

Answer 3

All pps are asked the same questions in the same order
Provides quantitative data
Usually consists of closed questions that have yes/no answers

Question 4

Advantages of structured interview

Answer 4

If pps misunderstand a question it can be clarified in an interview to aid understanding as the interviewer is there too

Usually quite quick compared to unstructured interviews, saves time

Question 5

Disadvantages of structured interview

Answer 5

Risk of interviewer effects (when interviewer accidentally affects responders answers).data may then be invalid

Lack qualitative and in depth data, results may be invalid and might not actually measure the key variables stated in the aim

Question 6

unstructed interview

Answer 6

Informal in depth convo
Not pre planned questions, usually themes
Qualitative data
Open questions about opinions

Question 7

Advantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 7

Useful when looking at sensitive or controversial topics, more appropriate than questionnaires
Allows for probing of info to get a real understanding of the topic

Can gain rich and detailed data that is high in validity (measuring the variables stated in the aim)

Question 8

Disadvantages of unstructured interviews

Answer 8

Risk of social desirability bias so that ppl look better (especially when talking about socially sensitive issues). Results may not be accurate

Interviewers need to be well trained to accurately conduct unstructured interviews, can be time consuming and expensive compared to structured

Question 9

Semi structured interview

Answer 9

Mix of both
Quantitative and qualitative data
Closed wnd open questions
Some questions pre planned, some might be based of themes

Question 10

Semi structured interviews advantages

Answer 10

1) Can gain both qualitative and quantitative data
2) The qualitative answers are high in validity and the quantitative answers are high in reliability

Question 11

Semi structured interview disadvantages

Answer 11

1) Some of the answers based on key themes might be irrelevant and might not be linked to the interview topic
2) The responses might be more difficult to analyse compared to a structured interview (answers would be more closed and have more stats).

Question 12

Questionnaires

Answer 12

Pps given a written set of questions and instructions
Focus on individuals behaviour, opinions beliefs and attitudes
Can be self administered, delivered by post, internet or face to face

Question 13

Design of questionnaires

Answer 13

Type of data- do you want quantitative (closed questions) or qualitative (open questions)
Ambiguity- avoid qs and answer options which aren’t clearly defined
Double barrel questions- chance of both parts of the question not being answered
Leading questions- lead the participant for a certain answer
Complexity- clear English language, avoid jargon

Question 14

Questionnaire advantages

Answer 14

Quick easy and relatively cheap. Can have a large sample + collect lots of data compared to others like unstructured interview

Easy to replicate and reliability can be established. Same results would be gained on the second questionnaire if you were to repeat it- high validity

Question 15

Questionnaire disadvantages

Answer 15

Can be ambiguous, wording isn’t clear. If researcher isnt there to explain the question they may answer the question wrong- invalid data

Low response rate especially if sent by post/email. If researcher isn’t present to remind pps to do the questionnaire then it may just not be answered/returned