Self report techniques

Question 1

What is a self report technique?

Answer 1

A method where participants provide information about themselves, such as their thoughts or feelings, without researcher interference.

Question 2

What is a questionnaire?

Answer 2

A pre-set list of written questions that participants respond to, used to assess thoughts and or feelings.

Question 3

Describe what an open question is

Answer 3

A question with no fixed answers, allowing respondents to reply freely. Produces qualitative data that is detailed but difficult to analyse.

Question 4

Describe what a closed question is

Answer 4

A question with a fixed number of responses. Produces quantitative data that is easy to analyse but lacks depth.

Question 5

What is a structured interview?

Answer 5

A pre-determined set of questions asked in a fixed order, like a questionnaire but conducted face to face in real time.

Question 6

What is an unstructured interview?

Answer 6

A free flowing conversation with no set questions, only a general topic in mind. The interviewee is encouraged to expand on their answers.

Question 7

What is a semi structured interview?

Answer 7

An interview with pre-prepared questions but where the interviewer can also ask follow-up questions based on previous answers.

Question 8

What is a strength of questionnaires?

Answer 8

Cost-effective and can gather large amounts of data quickly from many people. Data is straightforward to analyse, especially with closed questions.

Question 9

What is a limitation of questionnaires?

Answer 9

Responses may be dishonest due to social desirability bias, and response bias may occur where respondents answer in a similar way throughout.

Question 10

What is a strength and limitation of structured interviews?

Answer 10

Strength: Easy to replicate due to standardised format, reducing differences between interviewers.
Limitation: Interviewers cannot deviate from questions or clarify answers, limiting the richness of data collected.

Question 11

What is a strength and limitation of unstructured interviews?

Answer 11

Strength: Flexible, allowing follow-up of points as they arise, gaining deeper insight including unexpected information. Limitation: Greater risk of interviewer bias and data is difficult to analyse, with a risk of social desirability bias affecting honesty.