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
The test was taken on July, 24, 2011 and later on August 4, 2011. On both those occasions, results indicated that I was showing some indicators for Avoidant Personality Disorder. This was not new information for me as I had been assessed in 2005 by a Psychiatrist, and was given the diagnosis of Avoidant Personality Disorder.
Discussion
The purpose of this paper is to assess the limitations of self-report data as applied to The Personality Disorder Test. The remainder of the paper will therefore discuss the assessment, the result and how the limitations may play a role in the information obtained from this assessment.
Firstly, looking at the overall quality of this assessment, evaluation must include the source of the assessment specifically, is it a reliable site for psychological assessment? This site and its included assessments are not designed to diagnose either Axis I or Axis II disorders and therefore, information obtained from this assessment cannot be considered diagnostic in any way (Naglieri, 2004). The website emphasises that diagnosis can only be done by a trained professional and that the results obtained are indicators of the possibility of a particular disorder. The website does not appear to be associated with a