self report techniques + design

• self report techniques:

  • questionnaires
  • interviews
• self report:

  • any method in which person is asked to state or explain feelings or behaviour related to given topic
• open questions:

  • no fixed responses
  • produce qualitative data (detailed, difficult to analyse)
• closed questions:

  • fixed number of responses
  • produce quantitative data (easy to analyse, less detail)
• questionnaires strengths:

  • cost effective - large sample, easy, quick, cheap
  • doesnt need to be present to complete (decreases influence of interpersonal factors)
  • data is straightforward to analyse
• questionnaires weaknesses:

  • social desirability bias (presents themselves more favourably) - threatens internal validity of data
  • response bias - respond in a similar way e.g always ticking yes
• interviews:

  • live encounter where interviewer asks questions to assess thoughts/experiences
• structured interviews:

  • pre determined set of questions in a fixed order
• unstructured interviews:

  • conversation like, no set questions
  • general aim = discuss a certain topic
  • interviewer is encourage to expand + elaborate
• semi- structured interviews:

  • set of questions + also free to ask follow up questions when appropriate
• interview strengths:

  • detailed qualitative data
  • structured interviews easy to replicate - standard format
  • unstructured - provide more flexibility, can follow up on points
• interview weaknesses:

  • analysis can be difficult, time consuming
  • social desirability bias
  • interviewer bias
  • structured = no opportunities for deviation
• types of closed questions (questionnaire design):

  • likert scales - indicates agreement with statement
  • rating scales - identify a value that represents feeling about topic
  • fixed choice -required to indicate from a list of options that apply to them
• designing interviews:

  • creates interview schedule - should be standardised, decreases effect of interviewer bias
  • notes or record interview, group interviews may be appropriate
  • quiet room + neutral questions to start with
  • remind participant that responses = confidential
• good questions:

  • questions should be piloted
  • participants can misinterpret/be confused - negative impact on quality of info
• common errors of questions:

  • overuse of jargon - avoid unfamiliar technical terms
  • emotive questions + leading questions - neutral language, leading questions may elicit false info
  • double barrelled + double negatives: issue if participant agrees to 1 question but not other, double negatives difficult to decipher