Self-Report Inventories

The term self-report inventory typically refers to a structured set of written questions, which are formatted in a consistent way and ask respondents to evaluate themselves in yes/no, true/false, or a rating scale format. Occasionally, inventories might include open-ended questions. Critics of self-report [Page 1499]inventories often challenge their validity. Nevertheless, self-report inventory methodology is widely used in educational, diagnostic, organizational, and other relevant contexts. Examples of well-known inventories are psychological diagnostic instruments such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) or the Beck Depression Inventory, learning style assessment instruments such as Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory, and workplace instruments such as the Maslach Burnout Inventory. This entry describes self-report inventories and their common applications, advantages and disadvantages of their use for research and assessment, and methodological ...