Self-reports

• What are the different types of interviews?

  Interviews

  • structured
  • semi-structured
  • open-ended
• Different types of interviews

  -Structured: researcher uses a list of pre-set questions, participants choose their respond from a list of fixed alternative responses (same questions asked in same order to each P)

  -Semi structured: researcher uses a list of pre-set questions but participants responses aren’t fixed (can express views)

  -open ended: researcher will not use pre-set questions, they ask participants to comment on a topic in their own words
• What are the types of questions used in self-reports (questionnaires and interviews) 


  -open ended questions

  -closed questions
• Types of questions in self-reports

  Open-ended: invites people to describe what they think or feel about a topic (qualitative data)

  Closed questions: people choose from a list of possible answers (quantitative data). Includes multiple choose, likert scales and semantic differential rating scale
• What are the advantages of using questionnaires?

  P: allows researcher to find out things that can’t easily be discovered by experiments/ observation (e.g. opinions) This increases validity

  C: This means research likely to be more accurate
• What are the disadvantages of using questionnaires?

  P: participants may not respond truthfully (SDB). This decreases validity

  C: This means the accuracy of the results will be reduced
• Constructing questionnaires: how to increase validity and reduce bias
• Things to consider when constructing questionnaires 


  -Clarity

  -Bias

  -Social desirability

  -Ethics
• Clarity (when constructing questionnaires)

  Questions should be written clearly so that participants can understand them. Otherwise answers will be meaningless, rescuing validity
• What was the group experiment we carried out ?


  We investigated memory recall with either pictures or words
• What was the IV and DV when investigating memory recall using pictures or words and how were they operationalised?


  IV- pictures or words (5 people get pics and another 5 get words, each given 30 secs to memorise)

  DV- how many can be memorised (out of 15)
• Explain the group experiment on memory recall using words and pictures (replicability)

  Where: conservatory/canteen

  When: e.g. Tuesday 2pm

  What and how

  • approached people sitting in small groups. First 5 people received pictures and last 5 received words to memorise
  • 5 P’s for each condition, 5 pieces of paper with 15 printed images and another with 15 printed words, 30 secs to memorise and 30 to
  • Briefing- ask for partial consent, read out standardised instructions, debriefing- thank them and tell them their data is confidential
• What were the BPS ethical guidelines in the group experiment investigation memory recall?


  Partial consent, mild deception, P’s data confidential, right to withdraw, debriefing
• Bias (when constructing questionnaires)


  Researchers should be careful to avoid leading questions (phrased in a way such as ‘was that film boring?’) as they affect reliability
• Social desirability bias (when constructing questionnaires)


  People won’t answer truthfully but instead in a way that will make them look better
• What is a way to reduce SDB?


  Promise confidentiality and anonymity
• Ethics (when constructing questionnaires)


  Ethical guidelines must always be observed (Before, during and after). Researches must be mindful not to cause psychological harm
• Data analysis (when constructing questionnaires) 


  The way data is analysed depends on the kind of questions asked
• What type of data do open and closed questions produce?


  open questions: qualitative

  closed questions: quantitative
• What is a pilot study and why is it used?


  The researcher asks other psychologists to rate the clarity of each questions and then conducts a pilot study on 5 participants (to increase reliability and consistency)
• What are the different types of scales?

  -Rating scales (selecting a number from 1-5)

  -Likert scale (choices from strongly disagree to strongly agree)

  -Semantic differential rating scale (responses between two opposing descriptive words)
• What are the advantages of using open-ended questions?


  P: qualitative data allows respondents to freely express their views/opinions, resulting in detailed, in-depth descriptions of people thoughts/feelings

  C: it gives the researches a better understanding of why people feel a certain way, data is more accurate. This increases validity
• What are the disadvantages of using open-ended questions?


  P: doesn’t allow easy statistical analysis, it is hard to draw clear conclusions and is prone to interpretive bias, reduces validity

  C: the accuracy of measuring thoughts/feelings will be reduced.
• What are the advantages of using closed questions?


  P: quantitative data allows easy statistical analysis to draw clear conclusions without biased interpretation.

  Increases validity

  C: increases accuracy as the accuracy of measuring thoughts/feelings won’t be prone to interpretative bias.
• What are the disadvantages of using closed questions?


  P: participants can’t express their views freely, detailed descriptions of their thoughts/feelings. Decreases validity.

  C: doesn’t give the researcher and understanding of why people feel a certain way. Reduces accuracy
• Researcher effects

  When characteristics of the researcher e.g. personality/attractiveness effect the interviewee

  Cusses SDB (decreases validity and accuracy)
• Researcher bias


  -interpreter bias

  -interviews collect qualitative data which is prone to bias

  -using leading questions which result in biased responses
• What are the advantages of structured interviews?


  P: allow standardised procedures (same questions, same order) so results are more reliable

  C: increases the consistency of measuring thoughts/feelings on a particular topic
• What are the disadvantages of structured interviews?


  P: P’s may not respond truthfully (SDB). Reduces validity

  C: Reduces accuracy of measuring thoughts /feelings on a particular topic
• What are the advantages of unstructured interviews?


  P: allows a conversation to flow without restrictions. Increases validity

  C: increases accuracy
• What are the disadvantages of unstructured interviews?


  P: lacks standardised procedures and is difficult to replicate therefore reduces reliability.

  C: reduces consistency
• What are the advantages of semi-structured interviews?


  P: unlike structured interviews, additional questions can be asked to obtain more information. Increases validity

  C: increases accuracy
• What are the disadvantages of semi-structured interviews?


  P: P’s may not respond truthfully (SDB). Reduces validity

  C: Reduces accuracy of measuring thoughts/feelings on a particular topic
• What was the group self-report we carried out?

  A questionnaire about holidays
• Group self-report sampling method, sample and materials


  Opportunity sampling: asked students around college who are freely and readily available if they would complete a questionnaire

  Sample: 16-18, male/female, 12 participants, A-level and vocational students

  Materials: 12 copies printed, pens, highlighters, 10 questions in total
• Outline your self-reports group experiment procedure


  Where: college LRC, college canteen

  When: Tuesday afternoon

  What and how: We found P’s and asked them if they were willing to complete a written questionnaire there and then. After they completed it we collected them and thanked them
• Group self-reports ethical guidelines and timings


  Ethical guidelines

  • informed consent, debriefing, promise confidentiality (reduce DBS), no psychological harm as questions weren’t offensive

  Timings

  • Took P’s about 5 mins to complete (not timed)