Self-report Methods

Question 1

Asking people why they behave the way they do:

Answer 1

• questionnaires
• interviews

Question 2

Questionnaires

Answer 2

• Pre-set list of written questions to which participants responds.
• Could be used on their own or part of an experiment to assess the DV.

Question 3

open questions

Answer 3

• No fixed answers. Respondents can answer in any way they want.
• Produce qualitative data which is rich in detail but may be difficult to analyse.

Question 4

Closed questions

Answer 4

• Fixed responses.
• Easy to analyse ( quantitive data) may lack depth and detail.

Question 5

Types of closed questions

Answer 5

1. Likely scale - Respondent indicates their agreement with a scale of usually 5 points.
2. Rating Scale - respondents identify a value that represents their strength of feeling about a particular topic.
3. Fixed choice option - a list of possible options and respondents are required to indicate those that apply to them.

Question 6

Strengths of questionnaires

Answer 6

• Can be anonymous.
• Easy way to collect data.
• Quick, easy, efficient.
• Sample sizes can be big.
• Cost-effective.
• Researcher doesn’t have to be present for postal questionnaires - little effort required.

Question 7

Limitations of questionnaires

Answer 7

• People can lie affecting validity of the study.
• People can’t expand on their answers.
• Demand characteristics.
• Social desirability bias.
• Response bias - replying in a similar way for all questions.
• Data may lack validity.
• Boredom, answering questions too quickly.

Question 8

Interviews

Answer 8

Usually face-to-face interaction between the researcher and participant.

Question 9

Unstructured interviews

Answer 9

• Works like a conversation - no set questions.
• Interviewee can expand and elaborate their answers.

Question 10

semi-structured interviews

Answer 10

A list of questions worked out in advance but follow-up questions can be asked

Question 11

Designing an interview

Answer 11

• Interview schedule - list of questions.
• Should be standardised to reduce risk of interviewer bias.
• Group interviews may be more appropriate in some cases.
• One-to-one interviews: quiet room away from people - participant more likely to open up.
• Start interview with neutral questions to relax participant and establish rapport.
• Remind interviewees their answers will be kept private.

Question 12

Writing good questions

Answer 12

• Don’t overuse jargon - keep questions simple.
• Don’t use emotive language and leading questions.
• Don’t use double-barrelled questions and double-negatives.