self report design

• When writing questions for questionnaires, avoid jargon, avoid double-barrelled questions, avoid leading questions. Close questions are when the respondent has limited choices and data tends to be quantitative. Open questions are in the respondent provides own answers expressed in words and data collected tends to be qualitative
• Strength and limitation of closed questions:

  • Easier to analyse – can produce graphs and charts for comparison. Makes it easier to draw conclusions
  • Responses are restricted – forced into an answer that may not be representative for their true feelings. May reduce the validity of the findings
• Strength and limitation of open questions:

  • Respondents are not restricted - answers are more likely to have a detailed, unexpected information. Likely to have more external validity than statistics
  • Difficult to analyse – wider variety of answers produced than by close questions. May be forced to reduce data to statistics
• When designing interviews, a standardised list of questions that the interviewer and needs to cover can reduce interviewer bias. A quiet room will increase the likelihood that the interviewee will open up. Should start with neutral questions to make participants feel relaxed
• The aim of pilot studies is to find out if certain things don't work so you can correct them before spending time and money on the real thing