Self-Report Methods

• What do self-report methods involve?

  Individuals state their feelings or experiences
• What are the two main types of self-report methods?

  • Questionnaires
  • Interviews
• What is a questionnaire?

  A standardized set of questions for participants
• What types of questions are included in questionnaires?

  Open and closed questions
• What do open questions in questionnaires produce?

  Qualitative data
• Give an example of an open question.

  "Why do you drink alcohol?"
• What do closed questions in questionnaires produce?

  Quantitative data
• What is a Likert scale used for?

  Measures strength of agreement
• What is an example of a rating scale?

  Entertainment scale from 1 to 5
• What are fixed choice options in questionnaires?

  Participants select from a list
• What are the strengths of questionnaires?

  • Easily distributed to large samples
  • Generates significant data
  • Standardization ensures reliability
• What are the weaknesses of questionnaires?

  • Social desirability bias affects honesty
  • Leading questions impact validity
  • Complex questions may confuse participants
  • Acquiesce bias leads to yes responses
• What are the two types of interviews?

  Structured and unstructured
• What characterizes structured interviews?

  Predetermined standardized questions
• What are the strengths of structured interviews?

  • Easy replication and reliability
  • Clarification possible for misunderstood questions
• What are the weaknesses of structured interviews?

  • Social desirability bias may affect honesty
  • Interviewer effect impacts responses
• What is the format of unstructured interviews?

  Conversational with no predetermined structure
• What are the strengths of unstructured interviews?

  • Produces rich qualitative data
  • Researcher can probe for detail
• What are the weaknesses of unstructured interviews?

  • Lack of standardization affects reliability
  • Analysis of qualitative data is time-consuming
• What should be considered when designing self-report techniques?

  • Balance open and closed questions
  • Use filler questions to reduce bias
  • Sequence questions from simple to complex
  • Avoid leading questions for clarity
• What are pilot studies used for?

  • Test methods and identify issues
  • Ensure clarity of instructions
  • Validate operational definitions
  • Test interview structure for comfort