Page 130 - SREENARAYANAGURU OPEN UNIVERSITY

must take care of printing quality of the questionnaire so that it is
readable by the respondent. Self-addressed envelope, stamps etc.
are part of mail surveys. Proper covering letter stating the purpose
◆ Questionnaire promising the confidentiality of responses and the like should be
through post enclosed. Follow-ups at regular intervals have to be done and

also the researcher must circulate survey questionnaire to more
respondents. (say 800 if 650 are required) so that the researchers
can ensure that they get at least the required number back. Less
response rate is the major disadvantage of this method.
v. Projective techniques

Some characteristics or reactions or responses remain unrevealed
in the usual forms of data collection method like personal
interview, mail survey etc. as the respondents may be reluctant to
◆ Inference on inner discuss controversial, personal issues. Hence the indirect method
◆ Inference on inner
characteristics
characteristics
was developed in 1950 as part of motivation research. Projective
technique provides stimuli to the respondents which they have
to interpret. While doing this their inner characteristics can be
revealed as they would predict or interpret the stimuli according
to their character.
Some of the popular techniques are:

(i) Word association tests: Participants are asked to respond with
◆ Inference on inner the first word that comes to mind when presented with a stimulus
◆ First word that
characteristics word. This technique helps uncover subconscious thoughts,
comes to mind
attitudes, or associations individuals have with specific words.
(ii) Sentence completion tests: Participants are given incomplete
◆ Inference on inner
◆ Complete sentences and asked to complete them. This technique provides
incomplete insight into attitudes, beliefs, or motivations by analysing the
characteristics
sentences
participants’ responses and the patterns that emerge.
(iii) Story completion tests: Participants are presented with a
◆ Inference on inner story or scenario and asked to provide an ending or continuation.
◆ Provide continuity
characteristics By analysing the participants’ responses, researchers can gain
to story
insights into their thoughts, values, or perceptions.
(iv) Verbal projection tests: Participants are asked to explain
◆ Inference on inner or provide insights into the behaviours, motivations, or thoughts
◆ Interpretive analysis
characteristics of other individuals or groups. This technique allows researchers
to uncover the participants’ own beliefs, attitudes, or perspectives
through their interpretations of others’ actions.

(v) Pictorial techniques: It includes:
(a) Thematic Apperception Test (T.A.T.): Participants are
shown ambiguous pictures and asked to create a story or describe
◆ Inference on inner
◆ Picture
characteristics what they think is happening in the picture. This technique aims
interpretation
to reveal participants’ underlying motivations, desires, or conflicts
through their interpretations.

124 SGOU - SLM -MCom Research Methodology