interviews vs questionnaires

• open questions = free to answer


  :) more detailed

  :) allows unanticipated responses that could reveal more valid information

  :( time consuming

  :( difficult to analyse
• closed questions = pre-determined response (tick box or scale)


  :) easy to analyse

  :) high replicability

  :( p's may get frustrated

  :( can lead to overly simplistic responses
• interview structures

  -structured = same questions

  -semi-structured = same questions but with the opportunity for follow-up questions

  -unstructured = like a chat
• interview

  -researcher present

  :) can clarify questions

  :) can be flexible to allow detailed explanations

  :( time consuming for the participant and researcher

  :( may require a trained interviewer
• questionnaires

  -no jargon

  -no personal questions

  -kept anonymous

  -easier questions at the start

  -researcher not present
• questionnaires

  :) quick and easy = no researcher needed

  :) kept anonymous = truthful responses

  :( questions may be misinterpreted

  :( not possible to get in-depth information
• what type of questions do interviews and questionnaires us?

  both use open and closed questions
• which needs a researcher present?

  interview
• Self-report methods

  Social desirability effect may cause people to give untruthful responses
• Self-reports

  People may not tell the truth, resulting in subjective information
• Interviews ensure standardisation in data collection by using a predetermined set of questions that are asked in the same order and manner to all participants, minimising bias and ensuring consistent data collection
• quantitative vs qualitative

  -quantitative = numbers, measurable

  -qualitative = words, descriptive