Week 8 Flashcards

Questionnaire and Survey Design

1
Q

What is the main purpose of health-related questionnaires?

A

They play a central role in the collection of health data

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2
Q

What are key qualities of a well-designed questionnaire?

A

It efficiently collects valid and reliable data with minimal errors.

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3
Q

How should a well-designed questionnaire function in terms of data processing?

A

It should facilitate the coding, capture, and processing of data in a time- and cost-efficient manner.

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4
Q

What is the purpose of an introductory statement in a questionnaire?

A

It provides essential information about the survey, including its purpose, sponsorship, and instructions for participants.

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5
Q

What should the introductory statement include regarding the survey topic?

A

The title or subject of the survey.

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6
Q

What information about the survey’s origin should be included in the introductory statement?

A

The sponsoring organization.

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7
Q

Why is it important to include the purpose of the survey in the introductory statement?

A

To inform participants how the data will be used.

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8
Q

What participant choice should be clarified in the introductory statement?

A

Whether participation in the survey is voluntary or mandatory.

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9
Q

What information about data handling should be included in the introductory statement?

A

Details on data anonymity, privacy, and confidentiality.

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10
Q

When is it necessary to mention data sharing in a survey’s introductory statement?

A

If there are data-sharing agreements with other organizations.

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11
Q

Why should the time required to complete the survey be included in the introductory statement?

A

To set expectations for participants on how long it will take to complete.

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12
Q

What should be included in the introductory statement regarding survey deadlines?

A

The deadline for survey completion, especially if it’s online or by mail.

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13
Q

What contact information should be provided in an online survey’s introductory statement?

A

Coordinates such as email or telephone number for questions or technical issues.

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14
Q

What should the opening questions of a survey aim to establish?

A

They should establish the respondents’ confidence in their ability to answer the remaining questions.

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15
Q

Why is it helpful to start a survey with simple questions?

A

Simple questions help engage respondents by being interesting and easy to answer.

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16
Q

How can opening questions confirm a respondent’s eligibility for the survey?

A

They can determine if the respondent is a member of the survey population (e.g., women over fifty with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension).

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17
Q

What feature should be included at the end of a survey to gather additional feedback?

A

A “comments” section for respondents to record any issues not covered in the survey.

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18
Q

What is a recommended final message for survey respondents?

A

A thank-you message acknowledging their time and effort in completing the questionnaire.

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19
Q

What is the main characteristic of open-ended questions?

A

They allow participants to respond in their own words, enabling free-form answers

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20
Q

What type of insights can open-ended questions provide?

A

Both expected and unexpected insights.

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21
Q

What is a closed-ended question?

A

A question that provides a list of possible answers for respondents to select.

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22
Q

What type of response is typically generated by closed-ended questions?

A

A focused response that fits within the provided answer options.

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23
Q

What is a key advantage of open-ended questions?

A

They allow participants to respond in their own words, providing detailed insights

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24
Q

What is a limitation of closed-ended questions?

A

They only offer responses that the researcher has anticipated and listed.

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25
Q

Why can open-ended question responses be challenging to analyze?

A

Responses are variable and unpredictable, making it hard to categorize them in summary reports.

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26
Q

What is an advantage of closed-ended questions in data analysis?

A

Results can be easily tabulated and are often suitable for statistical analysis.

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27
Q

In what type of research are open-ended questions essential?

A

Qualitative research.

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28
Q

For what type of survey research are closed-ended questions commonly used?

A

Quantitative survey research.

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29
Q

What are the types of response options for close-ended questions?

A

Ordered categorical responses
Likert scale (equal distances around a neutral value)
Continuous numerical scale rating (ten point scale)

30
Q

What is question branching in surveys?

A

Question branching is a survey technique where respondents are directed to different questions based on their previous answers. This allows for a more customized survey experience and ensures that only relevant questions are asked.

31
Q

Why is it important to spell out the complete form of abbreviations or acronyms when wording survey questions?

A

Spelling out abbreviations or acronyms ensures clarity, helps avoid confusion, and makes the questions understandable for all respondents, regardless of their familiarity with the terms.

32
Q

Why is it important to avoid specialized terminology and complicated words in survey questions, especially for general population or patient surveys?

A

Avoiding specialized terminology and complicated words makes survey questions easier to understand, reduces misinterpretation, and ensures that respondents from diverse backgrounds can accurately answer the questions.

33
Q

Why is it important to avoid leading or biased questions in surveys?

A

Avoiding leading or biased questions prevents respondents from feeling pressured to choose a “correct” or socially acceptable answer, resulting in more honest and accurate responses that reflect their true opinions or experiences.

34
Q

Why is it important to avoid double-barreled questions in surveys?

A

Double-barreled questions, which ask about two things at once, can confuse respondents and make it unclear which part of the question they are answering, leading to unreliable data. Each question should focus on a single topic for clarity.

35
Q

Why is it important to avoid vague questions in surveys?

A

Vague questions can lead to varied interpretations, causing respondents to answer based on their own assumptions rather than a clear understanding of what’s being asked. This results in inconsistent data and reduces the accuracy of the survey results.

36
Q

Why is it important to avoid negatively worded questions in surveys?

A

Negatively worded questions can cause confusion and lead to misinterpretation. They require respondents to mentally rephrase the question to answer accurately, which increases the risk of error. Positively worded questions are clearer and easier to understand, leading to more reliable responses.

37
Q

Why is it important to avoid questions with an incomplete range or overlapping answer choices in surveys?

A

Incomplete or overlapping answer choices can limit respondents’ ability to answer accurately, leading to frustration or misrepresentation of their views. Providing a complete, distinct range of options ensures that all possible responses are covered and that each answer choice is mutually exclusive.

38
Q

Why should a content review by experts be conducted during questionnaire design?

A

To ensure that terminology is accurate and questions reflect current knowledge on the health issue.

39
Q

Why is it important to avoid excessively long surveys?

A

Long surveys can lead to respondent fatigue, reducing the quality and reliability of the data collected.

40
Q

What is the purpose of conducting a pilot test for a questionnaire?

A

A pilot test helps identify any issues with the questionnaire and ensures it is understandable for the target population.

41
Q

How does pilot testing help ensure survey quality?

A

It helps ensure that all measures are valid and reliable.

42
Q

What issues can pilot testing reveal in survey questions?

A

Poorly worded questions or faulty ordering of questions.

43
Q

How does pilot testing assist with survey layout and instructions?

A

It identifies errors in the questionnaire layout and instructions.

44
Q

What respondent-related problems can pilot testing detect?

A

It detects problems caused by respondents’ inability or unwillingness to answer certain questions.

45
Q

How can pilot testing improve response options in a survey?

A

It suggests additional response categories that can be pre-coded on the questionnaire.

46
Q

What can pilot testing reveal about the survey length?

A

It determines if the survey is too long.

47
Q

What additional benefit does pilot testing provide for online surveys?

A

It identifies technical glitches that may affect survey completion

48
Q

What is a general rule for creating accurate survey questions about time frames?

A

Specify the shortest recent segment of time that the respondent can accurately recall.

49
Q

What determines the optimal length of time to ask about in a survey question?

A

The variable of interest.

50
Q

What are two ways to ask about “average” behavior in surveys?

A
  1. Counting actual behaviors over a specific period (e.g., “How many hours did you study over the past week?”)
  2. Asking about “usual” or “typical” behavior (though this may be influenced by social desirability).
51
Q

Why should researchers be cautious when asking about “usual” or “typical” behavior?

A

Responses may be influenced by social desirability, where respondents answer in a way they think is socially acceptable.

52
Q

What is selection bias in self-report measures?

A

Selection bias occurs when people with strong opinions on a topic are more motivated to participate, potentially skewing the results.

53
Q

How does social desirability affect self-report measures?

A

Social desirability leads respondents to give answers that conform to socially acceptable beliefs or practices, which may result in inaccurate data.

54
Q

What is a “breakdown in trust” and how does it affect self-report measures?

A

A breakdown in trust, often due to decreased trust in authorities, can lead to non-participation in surveys or respondents giving answers that do not reflect their true beliefs.

55
Q

How can social desirability bias affect responses about tobacco, alcohol, and drug use?

A

People may underreport their use, especially of illegal drugs, to appear more socially acceptable.

56
Q

In what way does social desirability bias influence reporting on food consumption?

A

Respondents may underreport or overreport their food intake, depending on the type of food, to align with social norms.

57
Q

Why might social desirability bias lead to overreporting compliance with medication instructions?

A

People want to be seen as responsible and health-conscious, so they may exaggerate their adherence to prescribed medication.

58
Q

How is personal income often reported due to social desirability bias?

A

Personal income may be inflated to give an impression of higher socioeconomic status.

59
Q

Why is social desirability bias a concern with questions about sexual practices?

A

Respondents may provide answers they think are socially acceptable rather than truthful, leading to inaccurate data.

60
Q

How does social desirability bias impact responses on topics related to intolerance?

A

People may downplay or deny intolerant attitudes (such as racism or homophobia) to avoid negative judgment.

61
Q

What effect does social desirability bias have on questions about illegal activities?

A

Respondents may underreport involvement in illegal activities (like stealing) to avoid social disapproval.

62
Q

How does emphasizing privacy and confidentiality help reduce social desirability bias?

A

It reassures respondents that their answers are protected, encouraging them to respond honestly without fear of judgment.

63
Q

Why is it important to avoid leading questions when trying to reduce social desirability bias?

A

Leading questions suggest a “correct” answer, which can pressure respondents to answer in a socially acceptable way rather than truthfully.

64
Q

What is the normative/best friend technique, and how does it reduce social desirability bias?

A

It involves asking about the behaviors of friends instead of the respondent directly (e.g., “How many of your friends…?”), which can make respondents more comfortable answering honestly.

65
Q

How does the unmatched count technique work to reduce social desirability bias?

A

Respondents indicate how many items from a list are true for them, with some receiving an additional sensitive item. The difference in responses between groups helps estimate how many affirmed the sensitive item without directly asking them.

66
Q

Why should surveys be kept as short as possible to increase response rates?

A

Short surveys are less time-consuming, making respondents more likely to complete them.

67
Q

How can incentives help increase survey response rates?

A

Offering incentives, like entry into a gift card draw, can motivate more people to participate.

68
Q

What is the benefit of personalizing the survey cover letter or opening instructions?

A

Personalization can make respondents feel valued, increasing their likelihood of responding.

69
Q

Why is it effective to send reminders to survey participants?

A

Reminders keep the survey top of mind, encouraging those who may have forgotten to complete it (but don’t overdo it).

70
Q

When is generally the best time to launch an online survey?

A

Early in the week (Sunday to Tuesday) is often effective, though there is no consensus.