Self-completion questionnaires, also known as self-administered surveys, are an important research tool used to collect data from participants. These types of questionnaires can be administered in several different forms such as online surveys or paper-and-pencil type tests (Gorard et al., 2018). This method of data collection has both advantages and disadvantages which must be taken into consideration before using them in any research project.
The following infographic summarizes the main benefits and drawbacks associated with using self-completion questionnaires:
One major advantage of self-completion questionnaires is that they allow researchers to gather large amounts of information quickly due to their higher response rates than other methods such as face-to-face interviews (Dillman et al., 2014). Furthermore, since the participant can complete the survey on their own time, it reduces the amount of bias introduced by a researcher conducting the study (SoyŞen & Tezcanlıoğlu 2008). Additionally, these types of surveys are relatively inexpensive compared to other research methods which makes them attractive for those working on a tight budget.
On the downside, there is potential for participants not taking these surveys seriously due to lack motivation or boredom when answering questions which could lead to inaccurate results (Fowler & Mangione 1990). Additionally since responses are anonymous it can be difficult for follow up contact if more clarification needed regarding certain responses given(Gorard et al., 2018 ). Moreover ,there potential problems with accessibility if survey administered online due technological difficulties or unreliable internet connections depending upon where surveyee resides.(Dillman et al.,2014 )
In conclusion, while self completion questionnaire have many positive attributes they also have some drawbacks that must taken into account when considering this form data collection.
that can go back many years and may even result in personal identity loss (Serra, Fadda, Buccione, Caltagirone, and Carlesimo, 2007). In this it is quite easy to see that psychogenic amnesia seems to produce a widespread of cognitive deficits unlike organic amnesia which is typically restricted to memory function (Kumar, Rao, Sunny, and Gangadhar, 2007). Amnesia with an organic onset, on the other hand, does show signs of cerebral sufferance, meaning that there is clear physical evidence that shows that the condition can be linked to damage of the cortical areas of the brain (Serra, Fadda, Buccione, Caltagirone, and Carlesimo, 2007). Even though many cases of amnesia can be quite debilitating, it is not to say that people cannot overcome their condition and lead a successful life like Angie, a 50-year-old woman with profound anterograde amnesia (Duff, Wszalek, Tranel, and Cohen, 2008). Whereas, it could have a completely opposite effect in which the person suffering from some sort of amnesia could be lead to a life of crime and violence, like depicted in the movie Memento.
Adding on to the last point, there is one article that points to the fact that psychogenic and organic amnesia can be compared on 4 different levels. These levels include clinical, neuroradiological, neuropsychological and psychopathological features (Serra, Fadda, Buccione, Caltagirone, and Carlesimo, 2007). When taking a look at the clinical aspect it can be seen that in organic amnesia the memory disorder seems to preserve personal identity, basic semantic knowledge and procedural skills, while psychogenic amnesia includes the loss of personal identity and very basic semantic and procedural abilities (Serra, Fadda, Buccione, Caltagirone, and Carlesimo, 2007). In the neuroradiological sense, organic amnesia seems to have a physical cause that is consistent with cerebral damage affecting cortical and/or subcortical areas known to be important in memory, while in psychogenic amnesia damage to the cerebral areas important in memory does not have a clinical or neuroradiological basis (Serra, Fadda, Buccione, Caltagirone, and Carlesimo, 2007). Looking at the neuropsychological aspect it is easy to see that in organic amnesia there is documented impairment in declarative episodic memory with preservation of other memory functions and general intelligence, while in psychogenic amnesia declarative episodic memory is affected along with general intellectual dysfunction (Serra, Fadda, Buccione, Caltagirone, and Carlesimo, 2007). In the psychopathological sense, organic amnesia shows no predisposing psychiatric conditions before the onset of the condition, while in psychogenic amnesia a psychopathological condition is existent before the onset of the condition (Serra, Fadda, Buccione, Caltagirone, and Carlesimo, 2007). Although psychogenic and organic amnesia are on
