Questionnaires

Questionnaires

1. Types

   • Questions in Open Ended Format
     • These questions are not based on pre-determined responses, giving respondents an opportunity to express what they feel is right.
   • Questions in Closed Ended Format
     • Questions which have multiple options as answers and allow respondents to select a single option from amongst them.
       • Importance Questions
       • Likert Questions
       • Dichotomous Questions
       • Leading Questions
       • Rating Scale Questions
   • Other Types of Questionnaires
     • Mixed questionnaires
       • Consist of closed as well as open-ended questions
     • Pictorial questionnaire
       • Is used in promotion of interest to answer questions.

2. Definition

   • Is a research tool that contains a list of questions requiring responses from a predefined group of people.

3. Data analysis

   • Stages in the process of analysing the data
     • 1. Prepare a simple grid to collate the data provided in the questionnaires
     • 2. Design a simple coding system
       • Closed questions
         • If answers are ranked according to a numerical scale, you will probably use the same scale as code
       • Open questions
         • Review responses and try to categorise them into a sufficiently small set of broad categories, which may then be coded.
     • 3. Calculate the proportion of respondents answering for each category of each question.

4. Uses

   • It is used to collect relevant information
     • Collect qualitative data
       • They are used to collect non-numerical data. Especially to gain an understanding of the opinions and motivations of the respondents.
     • Collect quantitative data
       • Generates numerical or statistical data to quantify opinions, behaviors or any variable that has been defined to be the object of study.

5. Limitations

   • Complicated questions
   • Irritating questions
   • Ambiguous or unclear questions
   • Too many open-ended questions
     • Questionnaires should be used for focused and direct questions.

6. Issues

   • Lack of adequate time to complete the instrument may result in the return of superficial data.
   • Lack of personal contact
   • Need the expense of follow-up letters, telephone calls and other means of ‘chasing’ the respondent.