A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What is one characteristic of self-report research methods?

1. They rely on direct observation of behavior

2. They involve external observers measuring variables

3. They gather subjective information from individuals

4. They alter participants' environments

The correct answer is: They gather subjective information from individuals

Self-report research methods are characterized by their use of surveys, questionnaires, interviews, or other tools that allow individuals to provide their own accounts of thoughts, feelings, experiences, or behaviors. This method is centered on collecting subjective information directly from participants, which gives insight into their personal perspectives and internal states. By asking participants to reflect on and describe their own experiences, self-report methods can capture nuanced, personal data that might not be visible through direct observation or through external measurements. The reliance on subjective information is what differentiates self-report methods from observational techniques where data is obtained through direct measurement by the researcher or another entity. This subjective nature allows researchers to explore complex psychological constructs like attitudes, emotions, and perceptions, which can be difficult to quantify through other means. Thus, gathering subjective information from individuals is a fundamental attribute of self-report methods.