Self-report Methods

• what are questionnaires?

  a list of predetermined questions so which people respond by:

  • giving opinions
  • past experiences
  • certain scenarios

  they are given face-to-face, en masse, post, telephone or online.
• what are closed questions?

  quantitative, no elaboration, certain/specific answer, e.g. likhert scales (to what extent), questionnaires.
• strengths of closed questions?

  • can make an easy comparison between results.
  • more focused on the researchers true aim.
• weaknesses of closed questions?

  • limited by chosen response.
  • don’t give an explanation of why a respondent feels that way.
• what are open questions?

  qualitative data, allow elaboration, no fixed response, e.g. in interviews.
• strengths of open questions?

  • allow responded to discuss in detail.
  • more depth to answers.
• weaknesses of open questions?

  • very difficult to analyse.
  • may be interpreted differently, e.g. fit to link w/ interviewers aim, not the responders.
• what is a structured interview?

  pre-determined q’s decided upon by the interviewer.
• what is an unstructured interview?

  starts w/ some common questions but then asks q’s related to their responses. interview has broad theme, led by responder’s answers.
• what are some strengths of questionnaires?

  • large numbers can be given at one time- cost effective.
  • replication (high)- questionnaires are standardised, esp closed questions.
  • lack investigator effects- the researcher’s presence/behaviour doesn’t influence the p’s responses.
• what are some weaknesses of questionnaires?

  • p’s may misunderstand the question which could lead to invalid responses- lacking validity.
  • bias- only literate p’s.
  • can be superficial- may not get detail/may not be able to ask about sensitive issues.
• what are some strengths of structured interviews?

  • easy to notice trends/patterns & compare answers.
  • easier replication (standardised).
• what are some weaknesses of structured interviews?

  • doesn’t allow new lines of enquiry/elaboration.
  • q’s biased by researcher, to align w/ their aim.
• what is a strength of unstructured interviews?

  • allows depth of answers and new lines of enquiry.
• what is a weakness of unstructured interviews?

  • difficult to find trends, no two interviews are the same.