self report techniques

• structured interviews

  made up of pre-determined questions that are asked in a fixed order.

  Like a questionnaire but conducted face to face in real time.

  collects quantitative data

  Uses closed questions.
• structured interview strengths

  easy to replicate due to their standardised format (increases reliability)
• structured interviews weakness

  difficult to deviate from topic or for the interviewees to expand their answers (lacks depth and validity)
• unstructured interviews


  like a conversation.

  No set questions, but there is an aim that a certain topic will be discussed. The interview will be free-flowing

  The interviewee is encouraged to expand on their answers

  collects qualitative data

  uses open questions
• unstructured interviews strengths

  much more flexible, an interviewer can follow up on points if and when they arise gaining more insight and understanding (increasing validity)
• unstructured interviews weaknsess

  trying to analyse the data can be challenging often because open questions are used (qualitative data)

  There is always a risk of interviewees being untruthful for reasons of social desirability.
• questionnaires


  involve a pre-set list of questions to which the pps response is through written answers. These are used to assess a persons thoughts/experiences.

  questionnaire may be used as part of an experiment to measure the D.V

  there are different styles of questions that can be designed

  Pps complete in their own time away from the researcher
• questionnaires strengths

  can be given to a large sample of pps and so large amount of data can be gathered relatively easily.

  They can also be done without the researcher being present e.g postal questionnaires.
• questionnaires weakness

  respondents wanting to how themselves in a positive light (social desirability) rather than being truthful.

  respondents may show 'response bias' where they respond in a particular way e.g always ticking yes
• open questions

  do not have a fixed range of answers and respondents are free to answer in any way that they wish.

  Open questions tend to produce qualitative data (rich in depth but difficult to analyse) E.g why do you enjoy alevles
• open questions evaluation

  respondents can expand on their answers, which increases the amount of detailed information collected.

  Can reveal unexpected answers, researchers can gain new insights into peoples feelings/ attitudes

  provide qualitative data which may be rich in information, but difficult to draw conclusions.
• closed questions

  fixed number of responses and produce numerical data by limiting the answers respondents can give.

  They produce quantitative data
• closed questions evaluation

  limited range of answers and produce quantitative data, meaning the answers are easier to analyse using descriptive statistics (mean, mode, graphical representation.

  respondents may be forced to select answers that don't represent their true thoughts or behaviour, data collected may lack validity.