Self Reports: Questionnaires and Interviews

• Example Q: outline one strength of using an interview rather than a written questionnaire in this study


  One strength of using an interview rather than a written questionnaire is that due to it being face-to-face more insight can be gained. For example, the researcher may ask follow up questions such as "What's your favourite social media app?". This increases the IV because the researcher can measure what they set out to measure: how much time is spent on social media and other related questions such as their favourite social media app.

  
• What to write if asked to evaluate self reports in general


  + allow us to gain insight into how Ps think or feel = increased IV

  -Ps can lie = low IV
• What are self reports


  self reports refer to any data collection method that involves psychologists asking Ps to report their thoughts, feelings and reasons for their behaviour e.g questionnaires, surveys, interviews and the use of rating scales (often used in conjunction with other methods.