Questionnaire Design

Question 1

Explain the 4 types of non-probability sampling

Answer 1

Purposive sampling – study has a purpose, seeks a particular group.

Volunteer sampling – based on volunteers, sampling not by chance.

Convenience sampling – approaching people most convenient.

Quota sampling – sampling stops when quota is met.

Question 2

Explain the 2 types of probability sampling

Answer 2

Simple random – uses a random number generator.

Stratified/cluster – sampling from groups, still random.

Question 3

Explain the characteristics of open-ended questions

Answer 3

Open-ended – non-structured, no answer choices to select, require participants to write their response.

Question 4

Explain the characteristics of fixed-response questions

Answer 4

Fixed response – offer the respondent a closed set of responses to choose from, good for vertical format, but consider number and order of response options (e.g., are items at the top ‘superior’/is there a natural ‘order’).

Question 5

Explain the 3 types of rating questions

Answer 5

Semantic – response scored on a continuum between two extremes.

Likert – choose from labelled response options.

Reverse scoring – reverse order to check if they are paying attention.

Question 6

State the 3 types of closed questions

Answer 6

Fixed response, rating, ranking, partially structured

Question 7

Explain when branching logic is used

Answer 7

When not everyone needs to answer the whole questionnaire.

Question 8

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of closed questions

Answer 8

Advantages: quick, easy, no extended writing, low cost, easy to process, easy to compare

Disadvantages: Less information (anticipate answers), not spontaneous, limited interaction w participants – can’t probe, easy to lie / misunderstand, sometimes too crude

Question 9

Explain the advantages and disadvantages of open questions

Answer 9

Advantages: more info, freedom, opportunity to probe, useful for testing hypothesis about awareness

Disadvantages: time consuming, cost, difficult to code, burden on respondents, answers subject to interpretation

Question 10

Explain the characteristics of a POOR questionnaire design

Answer 10

o Ambiguity
o Double-barrel questions
o Double negatives
o Overlapping categories
o Leading questions
o Use of loaded questions and concepts
o Use of presuming questions
o Sensitive questions should not be among the first few asked – consider putting demographic questions at the end.

Question 11

Provide examples of different forms of questionnaire delivery

Answer 11

Face-to-face (in person)

Telephone survey

Internet survey

Pape-based questionnaire (requires posting back)

Email survey