Self - report techniques

• Define a questionnaire

  A set of written questions (sometimes called items) used to access a persons’ thoughts/experiences/information on a particular topic.
• State two strengths of questionnaires

  1)A large amount of information can be gathered relatively quickly and easily from a large target population.

  2)Questions can focus on what the individual is thinking i.e. a person’s opinion/ attitude which can be more telling than just looking at the behaviour.

   
• What are 3 tips for a good questionnaire

  1)Clarity – clearly understood, terms are operationalised to avoid ambiguity.

  2)Bias – participants should not be coaxed into answering a particular way.

  3)Analysis – data can be easily analysed.
• What are the 2 different types of data questionnaires can be designed to collect?

   

  o   Quantitative data = numerical information (numbers of hours exercising)

  o   Qualitative data = subjective information (favourite colour)
• Define an open question and give 3 strengths and 1 limitation

  Open question = questions with no fixed answer/response and respondents can answer in any way they wish.

  
  

  (+) Allows the participant to express own feelings and thoughts, unexpected information can also be collected, data is more realistic and detailed.

  (-) Ppts may answer in a socially desirable way, making answers less valid
• Define a closed question and give 2 strengths and 1 limitation

  Closed questions = questions with a fixed answer/ the choice of response is determined by the question setter.

  
  

  (+) It is quick and easy for participants to answer the questions, quantitative data is easy to analyse

  (-) Predetermined list of questions limits responses ability to explore interesting answers. Response bias.
• Define an interview

  Another type of self-report technique, which predominately takes place on a face-to-face basis, although they can also happen over the phone.
• What are the three types of interviews?

  Semi - structured

  Structured

  Unstructured
• Define semi-structured interviews and state one strength and one limitation

  Semi structured interviews = predetermined questions but allow for follow up questions.

   

  (+) Rich and interesting qualitative data

  (-) Higher chance of demand characteristics in comparison to unstructured interviews
• Define structured interviews and state three strength and two limitations

  Structured interviews = made up of predetermined questions and are asked in a fixed order.

  
  

  (+) Easier to analyse quantitative data; discover trends; replicability

  (-) Increased risk of investigator effects

  (-)Limited by fixed questions
• Define unstructured interviews and state two strength and three limitation

  Unstructured interviews = the first few questions are prepared however any further questions develop from the interviewee’s responses.

  
  

  (+) Less chance of demand characteristics and investigator effects

  (-) Difficult to analyse qualitative data; time consuming and expensive