Topic 3 - Questionnaires

Question 1

Define the term Questionnaires.

Answer 1

A from of social surveys with pre-set questions. they contain closed and open ended question and are used to collect are large amount of data. (such as the 10 yearly census)

Question 2

What sort of data do questionnaires collect? who prefers them?

Answer 2

Quantitative data

Preferred by Positivists

Question 3

Give a practical strength of questionnaires. Why?

Answer 3

Cheap, quick and efficient - as it can gather a large amount of data from a large geographical area through e-mail or traditional mail.

Question 4

Give an ethical strength of questionnaires. Why?

Answer 4

Anonymity - researches can guarantee private information is kept secret and can make it clear they have a right not to answer.

Question 5

Give a theoretical strength of questionnaires. Why?

Answer 5

Reliability - as the questions are pre-determined the same questionnaire can be used in different areas at different times to allow comparison.

Question 6

Give a practical weakness of questionnaires. Why?

Answer 6

Inflexible - questions cannot be changed so no new areas of interest can be explored. Also questions may be misunderstood.

Question 7

Give an ethical weakness of questionnaires. Why?

Answer 7

Unable to ask sensitives questions as people answer on their own accord so wont answer questions they don’t want to answer.

Question 8

Give a theoretical weakness of questionnaires. Why?

Answer 8

“Right answerism” - respondents may lie or try to predict the “right answer” as they treat it like an exam.

Question 9

Why do questionnaires impose the researcher’s meanings?

Answer 9

As the researcher has already chosen which questions are important it doesn’t let the respondent express what they think is important.