Question

An advantage of self-report questionnaires is that they are easy to administer to large numbers of participants. A disadvantage of questionnaires is that a. they cost too much. b. people do not always accurately report their true thoughts or feelings. c. scoring responses is subjective. d. they have low reliability.

Short answer

The correct answer is b: people do not always accurately report their true thoughts or feelings.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Question

The exercise provides a statement about self-report questionnaires, mentioning an advantage and asking for a disadvantage. We are tasked with identifying the correct disadvantage from the four provided options.

Analyzing the Options

Consider each option: - **Option a**: Stating that questionnaires cost too much. This is not commonly known as a disadvantage since self-report questionnaires are generally considered cost-effective. - **Option b**: Stating that people do not always accurately report their true thoughts or feelings. This option highlights a well-known limitation of self-report data due to biases or lack of honesty. - **Option c**: Stating that scoring responses is subjective. However, many questionnaires use standardized scoring methods, which makes this less of a common disadvantage. - **Option d**: Stating that they have low reliability. This is not universally true, as questionnaires can be highly reliable depending on their design.

Select the Best Answer

Upon reviewing the analysis, **Option b** is the most fitting disadvantage for self-report questionnaires. It addresses the concern that participants may provide inaccurate information due to various biases, which is a widely acknowledged limitation in research using this method.

Key concepts

Advantages of Questionnaires

Self-report questionnaires are a popular tool in research due to several advantages. Firstly, they are cost-effective. This makes them a financially feasible option for collecting data from large groups. By eliminating the need for expensive equipment or extensive travel, researchers can allocate funds elsewhere in their projects. Secondly, questionnaires are quick and easy to administer. Whether online, in-person, or by mail, they offer a convenient method for gathering information. Moreover, they allow for easy distribution to a vast number of participants simultaneously.

Another advantage is the ability to collect data anonymously. This encourages honest responses from participants who might otherwise feel embarrassed or constrained in a face-to-face setting. Also, researchers can design questionnaires to gather targeted information by including specific questions aligned with the research objectives. Furthermore, they offer a standardized approach to data collection. This consistency helps in minimizing interviewer bias and makes comparisons easier across different participant groups or times.

Disadvantages of Questionnaires

Despite their benefits, self-report questionnaires are not without limitations. A significant disadvantage is the potential for inaccurate data collection, as participants may not always express their true feelings or thoughts. This can result from misunderstanding questions, providing socially desirable answers, or deliberate dishonesty.

Moreover, questionnaires might not capture the depth or nuances of responses as interviews can. Participants usually select answers from predefined options, which might not fully reflect their unique perspectives. This can lead to oversimplification of complex feelings or situations. Additionally, questionnaires can suffer from low response rates, especially when they're lengthy or appear irrelevant to participants. This can skew results and impact the validity of the findings. Lastly, while questionnaires can be reliable if well-designed, poorly constructed ones can lead to inconsistencies and reduced credibility.

Participant Bias in Reporting

Participant bias is an important concern in self-report questionnaires. This bias occurs when respondents consciously or unconsciously alter their answers due to external influences. One primary form is social desirability bias, where participants provide answers they believe are more acceptable or favorable. This can distort data, leading to less accurate conclusions.

Another form of bias arises from misunderstanding questions. If a participant misinterprets a question, their response might not reflect their true opinion or experience. To combat this, researchers can pre-test their questionnaires, ensuring clarity and relevancy in every question. Finally, response bias can occur when participants fall into patterns of consistent answering, such as always selecting extreme ends of a scale. Addressing these biases involves careful crafting of questions and consideration of the respondent's perspective to ensure authentic and precise data collection.