QUESTIONNAIRE

Definitions

A set of predetermined questions for all respondents that serves as a primary research

instrument in survey research.

Used to collect factual information

Consist of a form containing a series of questions

A questionnaire is a series of questions asked to individuals to obtain statistically useful

information about a given topic. When properly constructed and responsibly

administered, questionnaires become a vital instrument by which statements can be made

about specific groups or people or entire populations

Characteristics of a good questionnaire

1. Should be concerned with specific and relevant topic

2. Should be short

3. Directions and wording should be simple and clear

4. Questions should be objective

5. Embarrassing questions, presuming questions and hypothetical questions should be

avoided

6. Should be presented in a good order

7. Should be attractive, neatly printed and clearly arranged

Functions of questionnaire

DESCRITION

The questionnaire provides description about age, sex, marital status, occupation, income,

political affiliation religious affiliation, etc.

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MEASUREMENT

Measurement of individual and/or group variables like attitude, opinion, traits and habits

of persons.

Types of questionnaire

1. Structured questionnaires (Closed Ended Questions)

Structured questionnaires are based predominantly on closed questions which

produce data that can be analyzed quantitatively for patterns and trends. The agenda is

entirely predetermined by the evaluator and provides little flexibility for respondents to

qualify their answers. A closed question can be answered with either 'yes' or 'no'.

A likert scale is commonly used in survey research it is often used to measure

respondents attitudes by asking the extent to which they agree or disagree with a particular

question or statement.

For example

Do you have a library membership card?

Yes ( ) No ( )

Example:

To what extent the information obtained from the web based resources are useful to you?

(Likert Scale)

Sl. No. Extent

1 Unsatisfied

2 Somewhat satisfied

3 Neutral

4 Satisfied

5 Extremely satisfied

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2. Unstructured questionnaires (Open-ended)

Non-structured questions, or open-ended questions, are questions where there is no

list of answer choices from which to choose. Respondents are simply asked to write their

response to a question. Here is an example: An open question is likely to receive a long

answer.

Example of a Non-structured Question

What are the facilities and services do you expect from your library?

3. Semi-structured questionnaires (Partially Structured Question)

Take a mixed approach in this type. In some situations, you may have a partial list of

answer choices, but you may still have some doubt or uncertainty about other possible

responses. You can create a partially structured question such as the following:

Example of a Partially Structured Question

What purpose do you use web based resources?

For research work

To write assignments

Questionnaire as instruments

Most survey research relies on the use of questionnaire to measure variables

Demographic variables

The accuracy and precision of questionnaire requires expertise and care in their

construction

Self report scales

Reliability

Reliability refers to the consistency of measurement.

Reliable test should yield similar(consistent) results each time it is taken

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Common method: test- retest reliability

FACTORS AFFECTING RELIABILITY:

Number of items

Variability

Condition in which the questionnaire is administered

Validity

It refers to the truthfulness of a measure

Does it measure what it intends to measure?

Constructing a questionnaire

Deciding type, writing a draft, pretesting, concluding with specific procedures.

STEPS:

1. Decide what information should be sought

2. Decide what type of questionnaire should be used

3. Write a first draft of the questionnaire

4. Reexamine and revise the questionnaire

5. Pretest the questionnaire

6. Edit the questionnaire and specify the procedures for its use.

WORDINGS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE:

Simplicity in language

Avoid ambiguity

Avoid vague words

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Avoid embarrassing questions

Avoid double negatives

Avoid leading questions

Presuming questions

Hypothetical questions

ORDER OF THE QUESTIONS:

Begin with simple and general questions

No sensitive and embarrassing questions at beginning

Move from general to specific in logical manner

Sensitive questions at the end

Demographic data should be obtained at the end of self administering questions

Kahn & Cannel (1975) Funnel sequence: Start with broad questions and gradually

narrow down to the specific questions related to the topic.

Conclusion

1. Questionnaire are the main and easy way collecting data

2. But the questionnaire must be highly reliable and valid.

3. Using standardized questionnaires will give us the appropriate data and will yield a valid

study

4. One must follow all the basic guidelines and methods of constructing a questionnaire and

test it before using it.

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INTERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

Interview is the verbal conversation between two people with the objective of collecting

relevant information for the purpose of research.

DEFINITION

Interviews are particularly useful for getting the story behind a participant’s experiences.

The interviewer can pursue in-depth information around the topic.

Interviews may be useful as follow-up to certain respondents.

TYPES OF INTERVIEW

1. Personal Interview

2. Telephone Interview

3. Focus Group Interview

4. Depth Interview

5. Projective Techniques

1. Personal Interview

Personal Interview: Is a face to face two way communication between the interviewer and

the respondents. Generally the personal interview is carried out in a planned manner and is

referred to as ‘structured interview’. This can be done in many forms e.g. door to door or as a

planned formal executive meeting.

Methods of conducting an Personal Interview

A personal interview involves a lot of preparation. Generally an personal interview should go

through the following five/5 stages they are as follows.

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Rapport Building

Interviewer should increase the receptiveness of the respondent by making him

believe that his opinions are very useful to the research, and is going to be a pleasure rather than

an ordeal.

Introduction

An introduction involves the interviewer identifying himself by giving him his name,

purpose and sponsorship if any. An introductory letter goes a long way in conveying the study’s

legitimacy.

Probing

Probing is the technique of encouraging the respondents to answer completely, freely

and relevantly.

Recording

The interviewer can either write the response at the time of interview or after the

interview. In certain cases, where the respondent allows for it, audio or visual aids can be used to

record answers.

2. Telephone Interview

Telephone interview the information is collected from the respondent by asking him

questions on the phone is called as telephone interview. The combination of telephone and

computer has made this method even more popular.

1. Focus Group Interview

Focus group interview is an unstructured interview which involves a moderator leading a

discussion between a small group of respondents on a specific topic.

Focus group interview results in advantages summed up as 10 S. they as follow.

Synergism

Snowballing etc.

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2. Depth Interview

Depth interview is nondirective in nature where the respondent is given freedom to

answer within the boundaries of the topic of interest.

3. Projective Techniques

Projective Techniques involve the presentation of an ambiguous, unstructured object,

activity or person that a respondent is asked to interpret and explain.

Advantages of Interview Method

1. Opportunity for Feedback – Interviewer can provide direct feedback to the respondent,

give clarifications and help alleviate any misconceptions or apprehensions over

confidentiality that the respondent may have in answering the interviewer’s questions

2. Probing Complex Answers – Interviewers can probe if the respondent’s answer is too

brief or unclear. This gives interviewers some flexibility in dealing with unstructured

questions and is especially suited for handling complex questions

3. Length of Interview – If the questionnaire is very lengthy, the personal interview is the

best technique for getting respondents to cooperate, without overtaxing their patience

4. Complete Questionnaires – Personal ensures ensure that the respondent will answer all

questions asked, unlike in telephone interview where the respondent may hang up or in mail

questionnaire where some questions may go unanswered

5. Props & Visual Aids – Interviewers have the opportunity of showing respondents items such as

sample products, graphs and sketches, which can aid in their answers

Disadvantages of Interview Method

1. Cost – Personal interviews are usually more expensive than mail, telephone and internet

surveys. Factors influencing the cost of the interview include the respondents’ geographic

proximity, the length and complexity of the questionnaire, and the number of non-

respondents.

2. Lack of Anonymity – Respondents are not anonymous in a personal (face-to-face)

interview and may be reluctant to disclose certain information to the interviewer. Hence,

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considerable must be expended by the interviewer when dealing with sensitive questions

to avoid bias effects on the respondent’s part.

3. Necessity for Callbacks – When a person selected for interview cannot be reached the

first time, a callback has to be scheduled which result in extra cost and time spent.

4. Variance Effects – It has been shown that the demographic characteristics of the

interviewer can influence the answers of the respondents. In one study, male interviewers

had a much larger variance of answers than female interviewers in a sample of most

female individuals

5. Dishonesty – Interviewers cheat to make their life easier and save time and effort

Conclusion

So we can use the interview technique as one of the data collection methods for the

research.

It makes the researcher to feel that the data what he collected is true and honest and

original by nature because of the face to face interaction.

Observation

Observation is the recording of the behavior of the sample.

Researcher relies on his or her own powers of observation what he or she has witnessed

rather than communicating with people in order to obtain information what they say or

think about issues.

Types of observation

Participant versus Non-participant

Direct versus indirect

Disguised versus undisguised

Structured versus unstructured

Human versus mechanical

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Participant versus Non-participant

Participant observation: the researcher/observer joins a group and observes their

activities, while at the same time taking care to observe what is going on

Non-participant observation: the researcher/observer simply observes the activities, but

doesn’t take part in them

Direct versus Indirect

Direct observation: observing behavior as it occurs

Indirect observation: observing the effects or results of the behavior rather than the

behavior itself

Disguised versus Undisguised

Disguised observation: subject is unaware that he or she is being observed.

Undisguised observation: respondent is aware of observation.

Structured versus Unstructured

Structured observation: researcher identifies beforehand which behaviors are to be

observed and recorded.

Unstructured observation: no restriction is placed on what the observer would note: all

behavior in the episode under study is monitored.

Human versus Mechanical

Human observation: observer is a person hired by the researcher, or, perhaps the

observer is the researcher.

Mechanical observation: human observer is replaced with some form of static observing

device.

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Advantages of Observation

Collect data where and when an event or activity is occurring.

Does not rely on people’s willingness to provide information.

Directly see what people do rather than relying on what they say they do.

Disadvantages of Observation

Susceptible to observer bias.

Observer’s paradox: people usually perform better when they know they are being

observed.

Does not increase understanding of why people behave the way they do.

Rating Scales

A rating scale is a measuring instrument that requires the rater or observer to assign a

rated object to categories or continua that have numerals assigned to them.

A rating scale is a measuring instrument that requires the rater or observer to assign a

rated object to categories or continua that have numerals assigned to them.

Types of rating scales

All rating scales can be classified into one or two of three types:

Descriptive rating scales

Numerical rating scales

Graphical rating scales

Comparative rating scales

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Descriptive rating scales

In this descriptive terms or phrases are assigned to each trail. The rater enters the appropriate

phrases after each name to indicate judgement of the person.

Numerical rating scales

In which numbers are assigned to each trait. If it is a seven point scale, the number 7 represents

the maximum amount of that trait in the individual and 4 represents the average. The rater

merely enters the appropriate number after each name to indicate judgment of the person.

Graphical rating scales

A straight line may be represented by descriptive phrases at various points. To rate the subject

for a particular trait a check mark is made at the particular point.

Comparative rating scales

A comparative scale is an ordinal or rank order scale that can also be referred to as a

nonmetric scale. Respondents evaluate two or more objects at one time and objects are directly

compared with one another as part of the measuring process.

Characteristics of rating scales

These are value judgements about attributes of one person by another person.

These are most commonly used tools to carry out structured observations.

These are generally developed to make qualitative judgement about qualitative attributes.

Provide more flexibility to judge the level of performance.

Advantages of rating scales

• Easy to administer and score.

• Wide range of application

• Graphic rating scale is easier to make and less time consuming.

• Easily used for large group.

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Disadvantages of rating scales

• It is difficult to fix up rating about many aspects of an individual.

• Misuse can result in decrease in objectivity.

• There are chances of subjective evaluation, thus the scales may become unscientific and

unreliable.

Difference between Questionnaire, interview, observation and rating scale

Sr.No

Questionnaire Interview Observation

1.

Questionnaire implies a form

consisting of a series of

written or printed multiple

choice questions, to be marked

by the informants.

Interview is a formal conversation

between the interviewer and

respondent wherein the two

participates in the question answer

session.

Observation, as the name implies refers to situations where participants are observed from a safe distance and their activities are recorded minutely.

2.

Questionnaires are in written form.

Interview is in oral form. It is a time consuming

method of data collection

3.

The nature of questionnaire

is objective type.

The nature of interview is

objective type.

It is recorded data.

4.

Questionnaire provides

factual information.

Interview provides analytical

information.Covert research - the fact that they are observed is not known to the participants

5. Cannot be changed, as they

are written in an appropriate

sequence.

Can be changed as per need and

preference.overt - the participants are informed about the observation taking place

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Why it is important to know about methodology?

In writing about your research when you have completed the project you need an

explanation of your methodology so that others can understand the significance of what you have

done and make sense of how it all worked. The methodology piece says why you did what you

did. It also enables you to write about what you did not do and why, and about the weaknesses or

limitations of your project as well as its strengths. Every research has a limitation of some sort

and it is perfectly acceptable to identify the weaknesses of your own study.

Reference

Singh, A.K. (1997). Tests, Measurements and Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences.

Patna: Bharati Bhawan.

1. Shaughnessy, J.J., Zechmeister, E.B. & Zechmeister, J.S. (2006). Research Methods in

Psychology. (7th edition). Singapore: McGraw-Hill.

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