Self-report techniques - Any method in which a person is asked to state or explain their own feelings, opinions, behaviors and experiences related to a
... [Show More] given topic.
Questionnaire - A set of written questions (sometimes called items) used to access a persons' thoughts/experiences
Strengths of questionnaires –
-Cost effective
-Can gather large amounts of data quickly
-Can be completed without the researcher being present
Weaknesses of questionnaires –
- Can produce response bias
- Participants may misunderstand the question or read it incorrectly
- Demand Characteristics / Social Desirability may occur
Open Questions - Questions with no fixed answer/response and respondents can answer in any way they wish.
Advantages & Disadvantages of an Open Question –
- Get more information
- Produces qualitative data - depth and detail
- People can miss them out as they can't be bothered to answer them
- Harder to analyze
Closed Question - Questions with a fixed answer/ the choice of response is determined by the question setter.
Advantages & Disadvantages of a Closed Question - - People have to same perception of the Q&A
-Quick and easy to answer
- Quantitative data is easier to analyze
- Not detailed or in depth answers
- Don't find out the meaning behind the answer
Interview - A live encounter (face to face or on the phone) where one person asks a set of questions to assess an interviewees thoughts/experiences. They can be structured, semi structured or unstructured.
Structured Interview - Made up of pre-determined questions and are asked in a fixed order. Basically like a questionnaire but conducted face to face.
Unstructured Interview - Works like a conversation. There are no set questions. There is a general aim that a certain topic will be discussed and interaction tends to be free flowing.
Semi-structured Interview - There is a list of questions that have been worked out in advance but interviewers are also free to ask follow up questions when they feel it is appropriate.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Structured Interview –
- Straight forward to replicate
- Reduces differences between interviews
- Easier to analyze
-Get answers you're looking for
- Get less information as P.ps can't deviate from the point
- Don't find out people's worldwide views. [Show Less]