Self-report designs
Short, M. E., Goetzel, R. Z., Pei, X., Tabrizi, M. J., Ozminkowski, R. J., Gibson, T. B., ... & Wilson, M. G. (2009). How accurate are self-reports? An analysis of self-reported healthcare utilization and absence when compared to administrative data. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine/American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , 51 (7), 786.
In this research study, data was gathered through the use of self-report designs as a means of collecting data in health care institutions. Since the number of participants who were beings interviewed was very large, the method provided a convenient and reliable method of data collection.
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One is the main disadvantages if self-report designs is that they provide a very easy way of collecting large amounts of data over a very short duration. This means that a researcher can be able to use this design whenever they are handling large data sets in organizations or any demographics. The other benefit of this design is that this method provides a very cheap and easy way of gathering research data. For instance, the use of surveys provides the participants with the ability to self-administer their information especially in cases where they are provided in an online platform. In addition to this, it is also possible to administer written surveys to a large number of people at the same time. This method allows for anonymity and as such, this promotes individuals to provide honest answers. Even though the use of interviews may be expensive, they increase an individual’s response rate and allow for a better comprehension of the questions being asked. This increases the reliability of the answers that are provided.
The main disadvantage of self-reports is that they are subject to social desirability, bias, response sets and demand characteristics, which may affect the validity of the findings. In addition to this, the use of interviews may prompt a participant to try and impress the interviewer if they want to find favor in their eyes. In addition to this, they are also an expensive and time consuming method of gathering information.
Observations
Sherry, J. L. (2001). The effects of violent video games on aggression. Human communication research , 27 (3), 409-431.
The researchers in this study used observation as a means of gathering information about the relationship between violent video games and aggression in teenagers. A comparison was made between teenagers who had played video games over a longer duration with those who were less active players.
Observations provide a direct method of collecting data through the study of human behavior. It therefore provides a naturalistic method of obtaining research information where co-operation from participants or intervention may be difficult to achieve.
The main disadvantage of this research method is that these are controlled studies and as such, the responses or results may not be reliable and genuine. In addition to this, the study may be compromised if the participants identify the observers.
Psychological Tests
Committee on Psychological Testing, I. V. (2015). Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination . National Academies Press (US).
In this research, the authors explore the importance of using psychological tests to find objective medical evidence based on the topic of research. The administration of cognitive tests to test users enables health care facilities to gather patient data and use it to recommend viable treatment options. The study sheds light on the need to use this data collection technique in the modern world as a means of gathering credible information based on the cognitive indices that are being studied.
One of the main advantages of psychological tests is that they provide a higher level of reliability because it is hard to lie in a mental test. In addition to this, they also provide scientific consistency that is aligned to the objectives of the research question. Sometimes it is impossible to achieve this in other research designs. The main disadvantage of psychological tests is that they cannot be universally applied to every research group. The results in such cases are often misleading.
References
Committee on Psychological Testing, I. V. (2015). Psychological Testing in the Service of Disability Determination . National Academies Press (US).
Sherry, J. L. (2001). The effects of violent video games on aggression. Human communication research , 27 (3), 409-431.
Short, M. E., Goetzel, R. Z., Pei, X., Tabrizi, M. J., Ozminkowski, R. J., Gibson, T. B., ... & Wilson, M. G. (2009). How accurate are self-reports? An analysis of self-reported healthcare utilization and absence when compared to administrative data. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine/American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine , 51 (7), 786.
