M5 Flashcards
a research device or instrument that is made up of a series of
questions which are close-ended or open-ended.
QUESTIONNAIRE
2 types of questionnaire
close-ended or open-ended
The goal is to collect relevant data from respondents which can then be used for a variety of purposes.
questionnaire
the most important part of the survey process because it
motivates respondents to provide accurate and complete information which is very helpful in
attaining the survey’s objective.
creation of questions
STEPS IN DESIGNING A QUESTIONNAIRE
- Determine the research problem or the target information
- Define the target population
- Choose the type of questions and method of administration
- Determine the general question content needed to obtain the desired information
- Develop the question wording
- Make sure that the sequence of the question is effective
- Test the questionnaire and revise if needed
It should be noted that one does not start by writing questions. The first step is to decide what are the things one needs to know from the respondent in order to meet the survey’s objectives.
Determine the research problem or the target information
In designing the questionnaire, the researcher must take into
account factors such as the age, education, etc. of the target respondents.
define the target population
The method(s) of reaching out target respondents will influence not only the questions the researcher is able to ask but the phrasing of those questions. A general rule is that the more sensitive or personal the information, the more
personal the form of data collection should be.
Choose the type of questions and method of administration
Researchers must always be prepared to ask, “Is this question really needed?”. No
question should be included unless the data it gives rise to is directly of use in testing one or
more of the hypotheses established during the research design.
Determine the general question content needed to obtain the desired information
Researchers must be sensitive to the fact that some of the people he/she will be interviewing do not have a high level of education. In
the same way, researchers should strive to avoid long questions. The fewer words in a question,
the better. Respondents’ memories are limited and absorbing the meaning of long sentences can
be difficult.
Develop the question wording
Questions should flow in
some kind that it leads easily and naturally to the next. Questions on one subject, or one particular aspect of a subject should be grouped together. Respondents may feel it disconcerting to keep shifting from one topic to another, or to be asked to return to some subject they thought they gave their opinions about earlier.
Make sure that the sequence of the question is effective
It is necessary to pretest the questionnaire before it is used in a full-scale survey to identify any mistakes that need correcting.
Test the questionnaire and revise if needed
Respondents are often unwilling to study an item in order to understand it. Assume that the respondents will answer the questionnaire quickly.
Therefore, provide clear, short items that will not be misinterpreted.
write short and simple questions
wording that influences respondents to consider a subject in a weighted manner or injects a preference or opinion. words should not forces the respondent to answer one of these choices, even if none of them comes to mind.
avoid leading questions
Use _____________________ when
responses need to be elaborated by the respondents for exhaustive and comprehensive data
gathering. They are more suited to exploratory research that looks to describe a subject-based
on trends and patterns.
open-ended questions
