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Child Psychology

Issues with self-report in child research

  • 2 things to know
  • Papers 2 and 3

Overview

Recall questions on social desirability in parent reports, demand characteristics with children, and open against closed questions.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why is social desirability a particular concern when researching children?

Key term

Define social desirability in research.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define social desirability in research.

    Model answer

    The tendency for participants to give responses they believe are socially acceptable rather than truthful.

  2. 2

    Why is social desirability a particular concern when researching children?

    Model answer

    Children may try to please adults or give answers they think are expected rather than honest responses.

  3. 3

    Why might children be particularly susceptible to demand characteristics?

    Model answer

    Due to power imbalances with adult researchers and their desire to please authority figures.

  4. 4

    What is the key distinction between structured and unstructured interviews?

    Model answer

    The degree of predetermined standardisation versus flexibility in questioning.

  5. 5

    What is the key distinction between open and closed questions?

    Model answer

    Whether responses are free-form or constrained to fixed options.

  6. 6

    Why is social desirability a particular problem when interviewing parents about their child?

    Model answer

    Parents are being asked to describe their own caregiving, and few will report neglect or harsh discipline to a researcher.

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