Self-report techniques

• Questionnaires: pre-set list of written questions.

  ++Can be distributed to lots of people, gather large amounts of data, and cost effective.

  ++Straightforward to analyse, statistical data can be converted to graphs and charts.

  --Responses may not always be truthful, social desirability bias is possible.

  --Response bias.
• Interviews: interaction between an interviewer and interviewee. Structured interviews are predetermined questions asked in a fixed order.

  ++Easy to replicate.

  --Interviewers cannot elaborate, may limit depth of data.

  Unstructured interviews are free flowing and allow elaboration.

  ++Greater flexibility.

  --Increased risk of interviewer bias.

  Semi structured interviews have predetermined questions but interviewer may ask further questions based on previous answers.