Research instrument: Questionnaires

Research instrument: Questionnaires

1. Definition

   • Way of collecting data
     • Characteristics
       • Cheap
       • Structured and manageable
       • Effective and efficient
     • If it's necessary
       • Detailed
       • Simple

2. Types

   • Computer questionnaire
     • sent by mail
       • advantages
         • inexpensive price
         • time-efficiency
         • respondents do not feel pressured
         • respondents can answer when they have time
         • more accurate answers
   • In-house survey
     • involves the researcher visiting respondents in
       • houses or workplaces
   • Mail Questionnaire
     • The researcher to send the questionnaire list to respondents through post
       • attaching pre-paid envelope
         • providing more accurate answer
   • Telephone questionnaire
     • Researcher may choose to call potential respondents
       • can be completed during the short amount of time
         • most people do not feel comfortable to answer many questions asked through the pone
   • According to the question
     • Questions in Open Ended Format
       • allow the target audience
         • voice their feelings and notions
           • giving respondents
             • opportunity to express what they feel is right
     • Questions in Closed Ended Format
       • multiple options
         • allow respondents to select a single option from amongst
           • especially useful when conducting preliminary analysis
             • ideal for calculation of statistical information and percentages

3. Design Issues and Other considerations when using questionnaries

   • Some issues are
     • take the approach of selecting a stratified sample
       • establishing your population
         • taking from that population a sample that represents the whole
     • using a sample group
       • Piloting your instrument with complete the questionnaire
         • colleagues
         • A small sample of those who will eventually
     • Ideal time to complete
       • no more than 20 minutes
     • Maximising response rate
       • consider
         • Use of a covering letter for your questionnaire
           • Explain the research crearly
           • Be short

4. Data Analysis

   • coding provides a kind of shorthand for questionnaire
   • it becomes faster if the process is in a computer software
   • great deal of data can be quickly analyzed and reported
   • Researchers develop coding frames.
     • instructions reminding them and others which numerical code to use
     • It is far easier for a researcher to enter ‘1’ or ‘2’ in a data analysis program than to enter ‘pedal cycle’ or ‘motorcycle’
   • It’s the simplest recompilation information

5. Limitations

   • Leading questions
     • Leading questions are those which provide for only one right answer to the question
       • Their wording can suggest that it would be wrong to answer in some particular way.
   • Complicated questions
     • Usually, a complicated question like this consists of a number of sub-questions that can be broken down into a number of smaller, more easily understood, questions.
   • Irritating questions
     • Respondents can find it irritating to be asked to indicate their age.
       • If the information is really required for your work then try to locate the question near the end of the questionnaire.
   • Ambiguous or unclear questions
     • Those completing your questionnaire are unlikely to be as familiar with your core research topic as you are yourself.
       • Be specific wherever possible in posing your questions. Be specific wherever possible in posing your questions.
     • To many open - ended questions
       • Too many openended questions force those completing your questionnaire to put more effort into their answers.
         • A number of questionnaires place open-ended elements towards the end of the instrument, allowing respondents to add any further comment he or she think appropriate to the subject.

6. Uses

   • Is a complex process
     • Which involves presenting questions
       • In a clear and unambiguous way
         • So that the respondent may interpret
           • Articulate his or her response
             • And transmit it effectively to the researcher
               • Once transmitted, the answer must be
                 • Recorded, coded and analyzed
                   • So that they accurately reflect
                     • The respondent's views
   • A questionnaire
     • Enables the transmission of useful
       • And accurate information or data
         • From the respondent to the researcher
   • Benefits
     • They are inexpensive to administer
       • Very little training is needed to develop them
         • They can be easily and quickly analyzed once completed
   • Questionnaires
     • Are designed and used
       • To collect vast quantities of data
   • To obtain information
     • On any subject
       • It’s necessary
         • To ask questions

Imágenes y archivos del mapa