Retrospective and Concurrent Self-Reports: The Rationale for Real-Time Data Capture

Abstract

Abstract Self-reports are the dominant method of data collection in the social and behavioral sciences, where they are used to assess respondents’ behaviors, attitudes, and subjective experiences, like moods, emotions, or pain. Whereas overt behaviors can, in principle, be assessed with other methods, individuals’ self reports provide the only window on their inner states. Unfortunately, this window is often foggy, especially when respondents are expected to report on extended time periods. For example, the Health Interview Survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics asks respondents, “Now, I’d like to read you a short list of different kinds of pain. Please say for each one, on roughly how many days-if any-in the last 12 months you have had that type of pain. How many days in the last year have you had headaches?” (This question is repeated for backaches, stomach pains, joint pains, muscle pains, and dental pains.) I encourage readers to answer this question.

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