Interviews And Questionnaires

What are Questionnaires? The questionnaire was invented by Sir Francis Galton A questionnaire is a research method that consists of different questions that can be asked to a variety number of people to gather information The structure of the questions can vary.

Questionnaires A Questionnaire can include three main parts, these are: “A Closed Question”- this is where a question only has one of two answers “yes or no” therefore meaning the response is limited. An “Open Ended Question” – this is where a question has no suggested answers. Respondents can write any answer they choose “Rating Scale”- this where the respondent chooses from a limited range of answers that is nearest to he or she’s personal views e.g. Strongly agree, strongly disagree “Forced Choice”- this is where the respondent chooses from a set of answers which portray factual information e.g. Age group you belong to Think of a pro and a con for each Extension: think of more – there are more!

Features of Good Questionnaires: Shouldn’t show difference beteween the variety of human response. Discriminatory power Should be reliable Should be valid Be standardised if used as practical measures of human characteristics.

Evaluate the questionnaire Read the questionnaire you have been given Decide what method the questionnaire has used Highlight the good areas of the questionnaire Highlight the bad areas of the questionnaire Extension! Correct the questionnaire where it needs it

What are Interviews? An Interview is a conversation between two or more people where the interviewer asks questions to gather information from the interviewee There are different types of interviews which consists of: non-directive informal structured but open ended fully structured The type of interview depends on what the aim of the research is.

Interviews Interviews can be either a positivist or a naturalist research approach. Positivist – a highly structured set of questions that are asked to all interviewees. Occasionally researchers who use structured interviews will read out the questions and a limited choice of possible answers to the respondents. Naturalist – semi- structured / unstructured interviews. Researchers have fewer pre determined questions and is more likely to let the interview develop as a “guided conversation”. Interview can be one-to-one or group and are mainly used as qualitative data.

Task Watch these interviews Are they positivist or naturalist? Using the examples, think of what the pros and cons of using questionnaires may be Interview one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MdE5dbaCrc Interview two: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj686CmGGSA

Advantages of Interviews Open ended questions allow the interviewee to talk more freely. Allows the information to be as guided as you want as well as clarifying points if not clear . Response rates are good as the interviewer is present to ensure the completion of the data. Allows the interviewee to answer question more fully when the interviewer is present.

Disadvantage of Interviews Time consuming in terms of collecting and analysing data. Can come across as biased at times. Relies on respondent to be willing to give accurate and complete answers ( may lie due to embarrassment, lack of knowledge, etc) Recording information may be difficult.

Perspectives that use Interviews Psychodynamic and Psychoanalysis use interviews often e.g. In therapy whilst talking to patients to find out how they are feeling, information that need to get across and symptoms that the patience is experiencing (cognitive behavioural therapy. Humanistic perspective also may use interviews to gather information about the individual , how they perceive things and looks at it in a subjective approach.

Perspectives that use questionnaires Cognitive Emotion Regulation questionnaire is constructed to identify the cognitive emotions after traumatic experiences. Questionnaires are used in most scientific perspectives. Behaviourism, psychodynamic, cognitive and biological perspectives all use questionnaires to gather information from the individual.