Self-report Techniques

• Self-reports include questionnaires and interviews as ways of gathering data.
• Questionnaires collect data through written sources and can include open or closed questions.
• Questionnaires can collect quantitative data using closed questions or scale questions.
• Questionnaires can collect qualitative data using open-ended questions.
• Open-ended questions are more valid, as they give a clear insight into what people think.
• Closed questions are more reliable, as they are easy to score and analyse findings from.
• Questionnaires that use scale questions are more reliable as they can collect numerical data.
• Likert scales and semantic differential scales can be used to collect data in questionnaires.
• Questionnaires can be ethical if socially sensitive questions are avoided.
• Questionnaires are at risk of social desirability as people may not give honest and authentic responses.
• The social desirability effect may occur in self-report methods.
• People may not tell the truth in self-reports, resulting in subjective information.
• Subjectivity is an issue in the data collection method from self-reports.
• Interviews are a method of self-report, as they gather opinions from people.
• Interviews can be structured, semi-structured or unstructured.
• Interviews gather data using open-ended and closed questions, resulting in both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Structured interviews are conducted using a pre-set of standardised questions, like in a police interview.
• Semi-structured interviews use pre-set questions but allow for the conversation to deviate if necessary.
• Unstructured interviews have an aim for questions but allow the conversation to flow freely, like on a chat show.
• Interviews ensure standardisation in data collection by using a predetermined set of questions that are asked in the same order and manner to all participants, minimising bias and ensuring consistent data collection.
• Ethical considerations when using self-report techniques in psychological research include ensuring informed consent, protecting participant confidentiality, and minimising potential harm or distress.