self-report techniques

• Questionnaires

  = pre-set list of written questions, used to assess a range of things- attitudes, experiences.

  • cost effective, easy to distribute, test large numbers of people, quantitative data produced so easy to analyse, don't need an interviewer present.
  • responses may not be truthful, put themselves in a positive light, might underestimate= social desirability bias, can produce a response bias.
• questions

  open questions= don't have a fixed range of answers

  closed questions= fixed number of responses and often limited to 'yes or no' answers or ratings.
• structured interviews

  = made up of a pre-determined set of questions in a fixed order, like a questionnaire conducted face to face.

  • easy to replicate- standardised format.
  • not allowed to elaborate
• unstructured interviews 


  = no set questions, have a discussion on a topic, interviewee encouraged to expand on their answers

  • more flexibility, can follow up on points
  • analysing data can be difficult, still social desirability bias.
• semi-structured interview 


  = few set questions but interviewers can ask follow up questions.

  • interviewer can establish rapport to ensure answers are truthful.