AQA Psychology Self Reports Exam
Questions and Answers6
Self-report - ANSWERS-A self-report is any method that involves asking a P about their feelings,
attitudes, beliefs and so on. Examples of self-reports are questionnaires and interviews. Self-
reports are often used as a way of gaining Ps' responses in observational studies and
experiments.
Questionnaire - ANSWERS-Questionnaires are a type of self-report method that consist of a set
of questions usually in a highly structured written form. Questionnaires can contain both open
questions and closed questions and Ps record their own answers.
Interview - ANSWERS-Interviews are a type of spoken questionnaire where the interviewer
records the responses. Interviews can be structured with a predetermined set of questions or
unstructured where no questions are decided in advance.
Strengths of using self-report method - ANSWERS-It allows Ps to describe their own experiences
rather than inferring this from observation. Questionnaires and interviews are often able to
study large samples of people fairly easy and quickly. They are able to examine a large number
of variables and can ask people to reveal behaviour and feelings which have been experienced
in real situations.
Weaknesses of using self-report method - ANSWERS-Ps may not respond truthfully, either
because they cannot remember or because they wish to present themselves in a socially
acceptable manner. Social desirability bias can be a big problem with self-report measures as Ps
often answer in a way to portray themselves in a good light. Questions are not always clear and
we do not know if the respondent has really understood the question, so we would not be
collecting valid data (internal validity). If questionnaires are sent out, response rate can be very
low. Questions can often be leading questions, which force the respondent to give a particular
reply. Unstructured interviews can be very time consuming and difficult to carry out whereas
structured interviews can restrict the respondents' replies.
, Social desirability bias - ANSWERS-When people try to show themselves in the best possible
way, so that when answering questions in interviews or questionnaires they give answers that
are socially acceptable but are not truthful.
Hawthorne effect - ANSWERS-When people are aware that they are being studied, they are
likely to try harder on tasks and pay more attention.
Screw you effect - ANSWERS-Guessing the purpose of the research and trying to annoy the
researcher by giving the wrong results
Demand characteristics - ANSWERS-Cues in the environment that help the participant work out
what the research hypothesis is.
Obligation effect - ANSWERS-A problem found with questionnaires and interviews, where Ps feel
obliged to respond to questions even if they may not have any views on the topic being asked.
This is a problem as it limits the internal validity of the self-report measure, as the answer given
is not what the investigator intended to measure.
Leading question - ANSWERS-A leading question is a question that suggests what answer is
desired or leads to the desired answer.
Internal validity - ANSWERS-The extent to which a measurement technique measures what it is
supposed to measure, whether the IV really caused the effect on the DV or whether some other
factor was responsible.
Closed questions - ANSWERS-Closed questions provide a limited choice (e.g. what is your age?).
Strength of using closed questions - ANSWERS-Closed questions provide quantitative data,
which is easy to analyse.
Questions and Answers6
Self-report - ANSWERS-A self-report is any method that involves asking a P about their feelings,
attitudes, beliefs and so on. Examples of self-reports are questionnaires and interviews. Self-
reports are often used as a way of gaining Ps' responses in observational studies and
experiments.
Questionnaire - ANSWERS-Questionnaires are a type of self-report method that consist of a set
of questions usually in a highly structured written form. Questionnaires can contain both open
questions and closed questions and Ps record their own answers.
Interview - ANSWERS-Interviews are a type of spoken questionnaire where the interviewer
records the responses. Interviews can be structured with a predetermined set of questions or
unstructured where no questions are decided in advance.
Strengths of using self-report method - ANSWERS-It allows Ps to describe their own experiences
rather than inferring this from observation. Questionnaires and interviews are often able to
study large samples of people fairly easy and quickly. They are able to examine a large number
of variables and can ask people to reveal behaviour and feelings which have been experienced
in real situations.
Weaknesses of using self-report method - ANSWERS-Ps may not respond truthfully, either
because they cannot remember or because they wish to present themselves in a socially
acceptable manner. Social desirability bias can be a big problem with self-report measures as Ps
often answer in a way to portray themselves in a good light. Questions are not always clear and
we do not know if the respondent has really understood the question, so we would not be
collecting valid data (internal validity). If questionnaires are sent out, response rate can be very
low. Questions can often be leading questions, which force the respondent to give a particular
reply. Unstructured interviews can be very time consuming and difficult to carry out whereas
structured interviews can restrict the respondents' replies.
, Social desirability bias - ANSWERS-When people try to show themselves in the best possible
way, so that when answering questions in interviews or questionnaires they give answers that
are socially acceptable but are not truthful.
Hawthorne effect - ANSWERS-When people are aware that they are being studied, they are
likely to try harder on tasks and pay more attention.
Screw you effect - ANSWERS-Guessing the purpose of the research and trying to annoy the
researcher by giving the wrong results
Demand characteristics - ANSWERS-Cues in the environment that help the participant work out
what the research hypothesis is.
Obligation effect - ANSWERS-A problem found with questionnaires and interviews, where Ps feel
obliged to respond to questions even if they may not have any views on the topic being asked.
This is a problem as it limits the internal validity of the self-report measure, as the answer given
is not what the investigator intended to measure.
Leading question - ANSWERS-A leading question is a question that suggests what answer is
desired or leads to the desired answer.
Internal validity - ANSWERS-The extent to which a measurement technique measures what it is
supposed to measure, whether the IV really caused the effect on the DV or whether some other
factor was responsible.
Closed questions - ANSWERS-Closed questions provide a limited choice (e.g. what is your age?).
Strength of using closed questions - ANSWERS-Closed questions provide quantitative data,
which is easy to analyse.
