Self report methods

• What are self-report techniques in psychology?

  Research techniques where participants reveal personal information
• What is the difference between an interview and a questionnaire?

  An interview involves real-time conversation
• What types of questions can be used in self-report techniques?

  Open and closed questions
• What is an open question?

  A question allowing any type of response
• What type of data do open questions provide?

  Qualitative data in the form of words
• What is a closed question?

  A question with limited response options
• What type of data do closed questions provide?

  Quantitative data in the form of numbers
• Why are closed questions easier for researchers?

  They allow for easy comparison of responses
• What is social desirability bias?

  When participants respond to appear favorable
• What is the purpose of filler questions?

  To ease participants before difficult questions
• What is a structured interview?

  An interview with a fixed list of questions
• What is an unstructured interview?

  An informal conversation without prepared questions
• What is a semi-structured interview?

  An interview with both fixed and flexible questions
• What is the advantage of structured interviews?

  They allow easy comparison of responses
• What is a disadvantage of unstructured interviews?

  They are hard to compare across participants
• What is a key challenge of semi-structured interviews?

  They require highly trained interviewers
• What is aquiescence bias?

  When participants agree with all statements
• How can researchers check for aquiescence bias?

  By asking similar questions in opposite phrasing
• What is interviewer effect?

  Influence of interviewer's characteristics on responses
• Why is rapport important in interviews?

  It encourages participants to share personal information
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of self-report techniques?

  Strengths:

  • Easy to replicate
  • Provides detailed personal insights
  • Combines open and closed questions for analysis

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Susceptible to social desirability bias
  • Problematic questions can't be clarified
  • Participants may not take them seriously
• Compare the advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires and interviews.

  Questionnaires:

  • Advantages: Cheap, no trained interviewer needed
  • Disadvantages: No immediate clarification, less serious responses

  
  

  Interviews:

  • Advantages: Clarification possible, rapport built
  • Disadvantages: Requires trained interviewers, higher costs
• What are the types of interviews in research methods?

  1. Structured: Fixed questions, easy comparison
  2. Unstructured: Informal, flexible questions
  3. Semi-structured: Mix of fixed and flexible questions
• What are the key considerations when designing questionnaires and interviews?

  • Clarity of questions
  • Avoiding complex terminology
  • Preventing biased or leading questions
  • Piloting to identify issues