What is a common risk when using self-report methods such as questionnaires?

What is a common risk when using self-report methods such as questionnaires?

• A. They provide perfect accuracy
• B. They eliminate bias
• C. They require no interpretation
• D. They may be affected by social desirability and demand characteristics

Answer: (D)

Self-report measures rely on what people say about themselves, which can be shaped by how they want to appear and by cues in the situation. The common risk is that responses may be influenced by social desirability—wanting to present oneself in a favorable light—and by demand characteristics—subtle cues that indicate how one should respond. This can distort the answers and threaten the accuracy and validity of the data. For example, someone might underreport unhealthy eating or overreport charitable acts to look better. That’s why self-report data aren’t perfectly accurate and can be biased. The other ideas don’t fit because self-reports do not automatically yield perfect accuracy, they do not eliminate bias, and they still require interpretation and scoring, which can introduce further bias or error.

Self-report measures rely on what people say about themselves, which can be shaped by how they want to appear and by cues in the situation. The common risk is that responses may be influenced by social desirability—wanting to present oneself in a favorable light—and by demand characteristics—subtle cues that indicate how one should respond. This can distort the answers and threaten the accuracy and validity of the data. For example, someone might underreport unhealthy eating or overreport charitable acts to look better. That’s why self-report data aren’t perfectly accurate and can be biased. The other ideas don’t fit because self-reports do not automatically yield perfect accuracy, they do not eliminate bias, and they still require interpretation and scoring, which can introduce further bias or error.