Limitations of Self-Report Data
Running head: LIMITATIONS OF SELF-REPORT DATA
Assignment 2
Limitation of Self-Report Data by Samantha, BScOT
Faculty of Behavioral Sciences,
YUniversity
for
Theories of Personality
Professor
August 8, 2011
Abstract
There has been a rapid increase in the development of web based psychological self-help sites over the past decade. Many of these sites offer test and measures focusing on various aspect of personality and psychological functioning. The tests on the websites use self-report data to obtain information. While self-report data is easily obtained and is considered a reliable source of information in most circumstances, it is not without its limitations. This paper will examine the limitations of self-report data (S-Data) using the “Personality Disorder Test” obtained from the website www.4degreez.com.
Literature Review: An Overview of Self-Report Data Self-Report Data (S-Data) is data obtained about the individual from individual’s own perspective. Often used in psychological questionnaires, S-Data is easy to obtain and, assuming the individual has insight, is considered to be “expert knowledge” (Dyce, n.d.c). The Big Five is an example of Self-Report Questionnaire, as are the MMPI and NEO PR-I.
Information obtained by self report, while easy and simple, is prone to issues which affect the validity and reliability of the assessment outcome. This report will use the “4degreez.com-Personality Disorder Test” to explore the limitations to data obtained through self reported questionnaires and assessments.
Limitations of Self-report Data There are a number of issues which are present when using self-reporting as a measurement for personality disorder or any other psychological assessment. This is particularly true if the self-report is the only for of assessment being used to determine a diagnosis or to categorize an individual into personality disorder realms. A paper by Razavi (2001) suggests that validity is questionable if
Assignment 2
Limitation of Self-Report Data by Samantha, BScOT
Faculty of Behavioral Sciences,
YUniversity
for
Theories of Personality
Professor
August 8, 2011
Abstract
There has been a rapid increase in the development of web based psychological self-help sites over the past decade. Many of these sites offer test and measures focusing on various aspect of personality and psychological functioning. The tests on the websites use self-report data to obtain information. While self-report data is easily obtained and is considered a reliable source of information in most circumstances, it is not without its limitations. This paper will examine the limitations of self-report data (S-Data) using the “Personality Disorder Test” obtained from the website www.4degreez.com.
Literature Review: An Overview of Self-Report Data Self-Report Data (S-Data) is data obtained about the individual from individual’s own perspective. Often used in psychological questionnaires, S-Data is easy to obtain and, assuming the individual has insight, is considered to be “expert knowledge” (Dyce, n.d.c). The Big Five is an example of Self-Report Questionnaire, as are the MMPI and NEO PR-I.
Information obtained by self report, while easy and simple, is prone to issues which affect the validity and reliability of the assessment outcome. This report will use the “4degreez.com-Personality Disorder Test” to explore the limitations to data obtained through self reported questionnaires and assessments.
Limitations of Self-report Data There are a number of issues which are present when using self-reporting as a measurement for personality disorder or any other psychological assessment. This is particularly true if the self-report is the only for of assessment being used to determine a diagnosis or to categorize an individual into personality disorder realms. A paper by Razavi (2001) suggests that validity is questionable if
References: Dyce, J. (n.d.a). Introduction to personality. PSYC6113 Professor’s PowerPoint Notes. [MS Word PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved on August 1, 2011 from http://www.jamiedyce.com/6113.htm Dyce, J. (n.d.b).Introduction to personality. PSYC6113 Professor’s PowerPoint Notes. [Audio recordings]. Retrieved on August 1, 2011 from http://www.jamiedyce.com/Audio3.mp3 Dyce, J. (n.d.c). Psychometrics, assessment and research design. PSYC6113 Professor’s PowerPoint Notes. [Audio recordings]. Retrieved on August 1, 2011 from http://www.jamiedyce.com/Audio6.mp3 Personality Disorder Test. Retrieved on July 24, 2011 from http://www.4degreez.com/misc/personality_disorder_test.mv Naglieri, J.A. (2004). Psychological testing on the internet: New problems, old issues. American Psychological Association. 59(3): 150-162. Razavi, T. (2001). Self-report measures: An overview of concerns and limitations of questionnaire use in occupational stress research. Retrieved on August 4, 2011 from http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/35712/1/01-175.pdf Vallejo, M. A., et al. (2007). Psychological assessment via the internet: A reliability and validity study of online (vs paper-and-pencil) versions of the general health questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) and the symptoms check-list-90-revised (SCL-90-R).PsychJ Med Internet Res. 9(1). Doi: 10.2196/jmir.9.1.e2