Questionnaires

How to gain relevant/useful information using the self report technique

Two types of Self-Report

Questionnaires – written form of self-report

Interviews – oral type of self report

Questionnaire

A list of standardised sets of questions is given to each respondent; they give their answers in writing

Constructing a Questionnaire

1. Decide whether you want qualitative or quantitative data.

Type of Data

Qualitative data - openRich in detail or description, usually in

textual or narrative formQuantitative data - closed

Numerical data, measurements of quantity or amount

Type of Questionnaire Data:

Qualitative Rich in detail Allows for in-depth

analysis BUT Difficult to analyse Difficult to compare

people or groups

Quantitative Easier to analyse

(e.g. statistically) Easier to compare

people or groups BUT Not detailed and

potentially superficial

Types of Question

Open questionsAllow respondents to answer however they

wantGenerate qualitative data

Closed questionsRestrict respondent to a predetermined set

of responsesGenerate quantitative data

Types of Closed Question

Straightforward response Are you female or male? M FWhat is your age in years? ____ yearsDo you smoke? Yes No

Types of Closed Question

ChecklistWhat is the highest academic qualification

you hold?G.C.S.E.sA LevelsBatchelor DegreePost-graduate Degree

Types of Closed Question

Numerical (Likert) response scale Psychology is the most interesting A-Level

subject

1 2 3 4 5Strongly

agreeAgree Not sure Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Types of Closed Question

Ranking scaleRank the following activities according to

how much time you spend on them each day (1 = most time, 4 = least time)

Talking face to faceTalking on the telephoneText messagingOther (e.g. MSN, Facebook chat)

Open questions

1. Describe you last experience of parachuting.

2. Please describe a person who you consider to be a positive role model.

What to consider when writing your questions

Good questions will only come out of a project that has well-defined aims

When the goals of a study can be expressed in a few clear and concise sentences, the design of the questionnaire becomes considerably easier.

The questionnaire is developed to directly address the goals of the study.

Consider

long questionnaires get less response than short questionnaires.

Keep your questionnaire short. In fact, the shorter the better.

Response rate is the single most important indicator of how much confidence you can place in the results.

Consider"How am I going to use this information?"

If the information will be used in a decision-making process, then keep the question... it's important. If not, throw it out.

Know how every question will be analyzed and be prepared to handle missing data. If you cannot specify how you intend to analyze a question or use the information, do not use it in the survey.

Consider

A questionnaire with a title is generally perceived to be more credible than one without.

Include clear and concise instructions on how to complete the questionnaire. These must be very easy to understand, so use short sentences and basic vocabulary.

Consider

People generally look at the first few questions before deciding whether or not to complete the questionnaire. Make them want to continue by putting interesting questions first.

Consider

Use simple and direct language. The questions must be clearly understood by the respondent.

Do not use uncommon words or long sentences.

Make items as brief as possible. This will reduce misunderstandings

Consider

Hold the respondent's interest. We want the respondent to complete our

questionnaire. One way to keep a questionnaire interesting is to provide variety in the type of items used.

Varying the questioning format will also prevent respondents from falling into "response sets". At the same time, it is important to group items into coherent categories. All items should flow smoothly from one to the next.

Pilot and Modify

Test Questionnaire with a group of

PPs

Obtain feedback from them

Identify issues with the q’aire

Alter the problem q’aire items

Questionnaire Design

Keep it simple & ensure clarity (start with easy) Keep it as short as possible Keep it relevant to purpose Collect personal information last Ask for one piece of information at a time Allow for ‘don’t know’ where appropriate Be sensitive Use filler questions – reduces demand

characteristics

Interviews

StructuredSemi StructuredUnstructured

Ways of Administering:

Face to face in a private/public place.

En masse to a group in a public setting.

Through the post.

Via the internet.

Over the telephone.