What are self-report measures used for in research?

Self-report measures are utilized in research primarily to assess participants' subjective views on their thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. This method allows participants to provide insights into their inner experiences, which can be rich in detail and highly personalized. Researchers often rely on questionnaires, surveys, or interviews as formats for these measures, enabling participants to express their feelings, attitudes, and self-perceptions.

This approach is crucial because many psychological constructs—such as emotional wellbeing, satisfaction, or personal beliefs—are inherently subjective and can only be accurately captured through the individual's own perspective. In addition, self-report measures can be a cost-effective way to gather a large amount of data relatively quickly, making them a popular choice in both qualitative and quantitative research approaches.