Self-Report Design

• Likert scales


  Ordinal-level scales containing 5/7 points on an agree or disagree continuum

  
• Rating scale


  Assessment in which a numerical value is assigned to specific behavior that is listed in the scale

  
• Fixed-choice option


  Includes a list of possible options and respondents are required to indicate those that apply to them

  
• Overuse of jargon


  - Refers to technical terms that are only familiar to those within a specialised field or area.

  - Best questionnaires are simple and easy to understand

  
  

  E.g. do you agree that maternal deprivation in early childhood inevitably leads to affectionless psychopathy in later life?
• Likert scales


  Ordinal-level scales containing seven points on an agree or disagree continuum

  
• Emotive language and leading questions

  - The emotive language will make them feel and lean towards the side that the author of the questionnaire was on.

  - This is because sometimes the author attitudes towards a particular topic are clear from the way in which the question is phrased through emotive language.

  - Leading questions guides the respondent towards a particular answer

  
  

  E.g. boxing is a barbaric sport, and any sane person would want it banned.
• Double-barreled questions and double negatives

  Two questions in one, participants may agree with one part of the question but not the other, double negatives can be difficult for participants to understand

  
  

  Double-barreled question - Do you agree with the following statement? Premier league footballers are overpaid and should have to give 20% of their wages to charity.

  
  

  Double negative - I am not unhappy with my job.
• Rating scale


  Assessment in which a numerical value is assigned to specific behavior that is listed in the scale

  
• Fixed-choice option


  Includes a list of possible options and respondents are required to indicate those that apply to them

  
• Overuse of jargon


  - Refers to technical terms that are only familiar to those within a specialised field or area.

  - Best questionnaires are simple and easy to understand

  
  

  E.g. do you agree that maternal deprivation in early childhood inevitably leads to affectionless psychopathy in later life?
• Emotive language and leading questions

  - The emotive language will make them feel and lean towards the side that the author of the questionnaire was on.

  - This is because sometimes the author attitudes towards a particular topic are clear from the way in which the question is phrased through emotive language.

  - Leading questions guides the respondent towards a particular answer

  
  

  E.g. boxing is a barbaric sport, and any sane person would want it banned.
• Double-barreled questions and double negatives

  Two questions in one, participants may agree with one part of the question but not the other, double negatives can be difficult for participants to understand

  
  

  Double-barreled question - Do you agree with the following statement? Premier league footballers are overpaid and should have to give 20% of their wages to charity.

  
  

  Double negative - I am not unhappy with my job.