Self-Reported Data Limitations
Dr. Sendelbach stated that using self-reports is the easiest form of quantitative data collection. What would you anticipate some of the weaknesses of this method to be? What did she reveal as some drawbacks?
While self-reports are indeed a common and relatively straightforward form of quantitative data collection, they come with several weaknesses and drawbacks that should be considered:
- Response Bias: Participants may provide inaccurate or biased responses due to social desirability bias (responding in a way they think is socially acceptable) or demand characteristics (altering their responses based on perceived expectations).
- Memory Recall Issues: Participants may have difficulty accurately recalling past events, behaviors, or experiences, leading to errors in reporting.
- Misinterpretation of Questions: Ambiguous or complex questions may be misunderstood by participants, leading to inaccurate responses.
- Limited Insight: Participants may not have complete awareness of their own behaviors or experiences, especially in complex or sensitive topics.
- Validity Concerns: The validity of self-reported data can be questioned if participants intentionally provide false information or if they lack insight into their own behaviors.
- Reliability: The consistency of self-reported data over time may vary, affecting the reliability and reproducibility of study findings…
While self-reports are indeed a common and relatively straightforward form of quantitative data collection, they come with several weaknesses and drawbacks that should be considered:
- Response Bias: Participants may provide inaccurate or biased responses due to social desirability bias (responding in a way they think is socially acceptable) or demand characteristics (altering their responses based on perceived expectations).
- Memory Recall Issues: Participants may have difficulty accurately recalling past events, behaviors, or experiences, leading to errors in reporting.
- Misinterpretation of Questions: Ambiguous or complex questions may be misunderstood by participants, leading to inaccurate responses.
- Limited Insight: Participants may not have complete awareness of their own behaviors or experiences, especially in complex or sensitive topics.Self-Reported Data Limitations
- Validity Concerns: The validity of self-reported data can be questioned if participants intentionally provide false information or if they lack insight into their own behaviors.
- Reliability: The consistency of self-reported data over time may vary, affecting the reliability and reproducibility of study findings…
