Final answer:
The correct answer is option a) It is cost-effective.
Step-by-step explanation:
An online self-report inventory is primarily used because it is cost-effective and straightforward to administer. Such inventories often employ Likert scales, presenting statements with a range of agreement options, from strongly disagree to strongly agree, allowing individuals to self-assess their personality traits. While these tests can be administrated efficiently and at a low cost, they do come with drawbacks.
Namely, respondents may provide answers that are socially desirable, biasing the data. This is particularly true in situations where an individual has an incentive to present themselves in a more favorable light, such as during a job application. Self-report inventories capture what people think and believe, which may differ from their actual behavior in real life.
The MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) and the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) are examples of widely-used self-report inventories. On the other hand, projective tests like the Rorschach Inkblot Test or the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) aim to reveal underlying unconscious desires and are less susceptible to intentional distortion because of the ambiguous stimuli they use. Nevertheless, the efficiency and practicality of self-report inventories often make them the preferred choice for large-scale assessments.