Methodology: Questionnaires Flashcards
What is a questionnaire?
A series of open and closed questions designed to gather information about a certain topic that provides both quantitative and qualitative data.
What is a key difference between and interview and a questionnaire?
A researcher must be trained in how to conduct interviews, whereas questionnaires can be sent off relatively cheap and quickly.
What 6 factors should be considered when designing a questionnaire?
1) Aims
- All questions asked must address the aims
2) Length
- Shorter questionnaires are more likely to receive responses
3) Pilot study
- Practice studies ensure people understand
4) Question order
- Easy questions first progressing to harder ones
5) Simplistic language
- Everyone should be able to understand
6) Presentation
- Looks professional and includes clear instructions
What is a ‘self-completion’ questionnaire?
A series of open and closed questions that are filled in by the respondent without input from the researcher.
Give 3 strengths of self-completion questionnaires.
1) High validity - no interviewer bias
2) High ethics - Easier to cover sensitive topics
3) High generalisability - fast and relatively cheap
Give 3 weaknesses of self-completion questionnaires.
1) Low generalisability - low response rate
2) Low validity - increased possibility of misunderstanding with no interviewer to explain
3) Low validity - open to social desirability and acquiescence bias
What is a ‘postal’ questionnaire?
A series of open and closed questions that are sent to respondents in the post.
Give 2 strengths of postal questionnaires.
1) High generalisability - large, geographically dispersed sample
2) High validity - anonymous sample reduces potential for social desirability
Give 3 weaknesses of postal questionnaires.
1) Low generalisability - low response rate
2) Low validity - uncertainty of the right person filling out the questionnaire
3) Time taken to receive results back is long
What is a pilot study?
A preliminary, small-scale study carried out to assess potential issues with the main study.
Give 3 strengths of a pilot study.
1) High validity - allows for checking ppts understand
2) High ethics - checks that emotive questions don’t cause defensive bias in responses
3) Saves time and money due to fixing issues that may arise in the main study
Evaluate 2 general generalisability point of questionnaires.
P - High
E - Due to the set questions and methods of distribution (e.g. postal) it allows them to be sent on a mass scale
E - Therefore a large, geographically dispersed sample can be obtained
P - Low
E - Due to no researcher present to ensure the questionnaire is completed, there will be a low response rate
E - This leaves a small, biased sample due to people with similar traits wanting to/having the time to respond
Evaluate a reliability point of questionnaires.
P - High
E - Uses a set list of questions with the majority being closed, providing quantitative data
E - This can be quickly, objectively analysed to compare results
Evaluate a validity point of questionnaires.
P - Low
E - Lack of detail in respondents answers due to predetermined answers from closed questions and unknown social desirability of acquiescence bias or if the respondent misunderstood the questions
E - Therefore reduces credibility of trustworthiness of responses
Evaluate 2 practical points of questionnaires.
P - High
E - Questionnaires can be sent out on a mass scale and use mainly closed questions
E - Data is easily to analyse and compare and is relatively cheap and quick
P - Low
E - Some involve open questions which provide detailed qualitative data
E - Therefore they can be time consuming to analyse and compare
