Research projects use questionnaires to collect standardized data from many people. Questionnaires can be used to collect descriptive information through population or sample surveys. They require asking all respondents the same questions in the same order. Common to all types of surveys is the use of questionnaires to collect data. Questionnaires facilitate measuring what people know, like, think, and experience through their responses. Care must be taken in questionnaire design and administration to obtain accurate self-reports.

1. Š Research projects which use a questionnaire to
collect standardized data from a large number
of people.
Š Can be either Population or Sample surveys.
Sample surveys are the most common
Š The collection of standardized data requires
that the same questions be given to all
respondents in the same order.

2. Š Factual Surveys ² Use to collect descriptive
information. Example, Population census, The
Survey of Living Conditions and The Labour Force
Survey.
Š Attitude Surveys ² Carried out by opinion poll
organizations, market researchers, etc.
Š Explanatory Surveys - Used to test hypotheses
or to test and develop theories.
Common to all types, is the use of the Questionnaire as
the instrument of data collection

3. Š A questionnaire is a collection of questions and
/or statements that is designed to collect
information on a particular topic.
Š It is an instrument used by researchers to
convert into data, information directly given by
respondents.
Š In essence, it provides access to what is inside
the person's head

4. The questionnaire facilitates the
measurement of what a person:
Š knows - knowledge, information
Š likes & dislikes - values, preference
Š thinks - attitudes, beliefs
Š experiences - past & present
It is a useful alternative when direct observation is
not possible.

5. This approach to data collection requires
that the respondent:
Š co-operates in the completion of questionnaire
Š tells what is, instead of what he thinks ought to be,
or what he imagines the researcher would like to
hear.
Š knows how he feels or thinks in order to report.
It is possible therefore for the questionnaire to measure
not
necessarily what a person likes, believes or thinks but
what
he/she indicates in these regards.

6. The researcher must, therefore, pay
attention
to the following factors:
Š the respondent will have a tendency to show self
in good light.
Š he/she may be unduly helpful by providing
answers he thinks the researcher wants instead of
telling it like it is.
Š he/she may not be able to provide answers to the
questions posed - out of ignorance etc.

7. Š Direct versus indirect (Specific vs. Non ²Specific)
a. Do you like your job? - direct (specific)
b. How do you feel about your job? - indirect (non-specific)
a. How you feel about teacher A? - direct (specific)
b.How do feel about class taught by teacher A? - indirect
(non-specific)
Direct or specific questions may cause respondent to
become guarded or cautious and give less than honest
answers. Non-specific ones lead to desired information
with less alarm.

8. Š Fact versus opinion
a. What kind of car do you drive?
b. Do you prefer Japanese or American?
Factual questions do not always solicit factual
answers
because:
i. faulty memory
ii. conscious desire to create a certain impression
Nor do opinion ones always solicit honest opinions.
Respondents are normally inclined to provide socially
desirable answers.

9. Š Questions versus Statements - Can be a direct
question as those types above (requiring a direct
answer) or a statement requiring an optional
response.
Š Predetermined versus Response Keyed
Questions - Answer all vs. answer those that are
relevant.

10. 5. Do you drink alcoholic beverages?
1. Never 2. Occasionally 3. Frequently 4. Always
(If never, go to 6 and then terminate. Otherwise, skip to 7
and continue)
6. Why don·t you drink alcoholic beverages?
1. Religious reasons 2. Health reasons 3. Others (Specify)
______
7. When you drink, which of the following are you
most likely to have?
1.Rum 2. Beer 3. Stout 4. Wine 5. Others
(Specify)________

12. Š Provide respondent with possible answers and ask
him/her to choose the most appropriate option.
Š When the closed-ended format is used, the researcher
should be guided by the following:
- Response categories provided should be exhaustive
- Response options should be mutually exclusive
- There should be clear instruction to select the best
answer
This format is ¶respondent friendly· and facilitates greater ease in the
processing of data, since it can be transferred directly to computer. It
however, limits the possible answers to those thought of by the
researcher.

13. Š Researchers ask questions and allow
respondents to provide answers
Š Exert control only in regard to the questions
asked and the time and space provided.
Š Respondents give own answer, rather than
just agreeing with those given.
Š Format offers the respondent more flexibly

14. Š Responses must be coded before processing - The
coding process can be time consuming and can be
quiet technical. It requires the researcher to
accurately interpret the meaning of respondents give
to responses. There is always the possibly of
misunderstanding and researcher·s bias.
Š Respondents quite often provide answers that are
irrelevant to researcher's intent.

15. Š This is transitional mode between structured
and unstructured mode.
Š Respondents generate, rather than choose
answers
Š Responses are, however, limited in range and
length - often a single word or short phrase
Example: What is your father's occupation?
Š The very wording of the question restricts the
number of possible responses and the number
of words.

16. Š Tabular Responses - Fill response into a table. A very
convenient way of organizing complex responses.
Š Scaled Response - A structured response form.
Respondents are asked to express endorsement or
rejection of a given statement.
Example: The Likert Scale
Š Ranking response ² Respondents are given some
statements, etc. and asked to rank according to some
criteria.
Š Checklist Response - Respondents choose all possible
answers from a number of options given to him

17. In constructing the Questionnaire, the researcher
should always consider the following factors:
Format ² Wording
Š Precision ² Questions should be clear and unambiguous
Š Concision ² Items should be as short as possible
Š Relevance ² Question should all be relevant and
necessary
Š Double-barreled Questions ² Each question should
should attempt to measure only one variable at a time
Š Biased Items/Terms ² Should not use leading questions
Š Negative Items ² Questions should be in positive form
Š Abbreviations and Jargons ² These should always be
avoided

18. Format ² Layout
Š Uncluttered ² Items should be well-spaced/ spread-
out
Š Order ² Items should flow in a logical order. The
ordering of questions affects the quality of responses
Š Length ² Should not be too many items ² Instrument
shouldn·t be too long
Š Personal Information ² Request only when required
Š Instructions ² Always provide adequate instructions
² both general and specific.

19. Š Three main Categories, based on the
approach use in the completion of the
questionnaires:
- Mail Questionnaire
- Face-to-Face Interviews
- Telephone Interviews

20. Š Postal services are utilized in the distribution
and return of instrument
Š Classical approach is to send questionnaire
accompanied by a letter of explanation and self-
addressed stamped envelope.
Š Respondents asked to complete and return
within a specified time.

21. Š Cost ² the cheapest
Š Time ² the slowest
Š Degree of obtrusion ² the least obtrusive
Š Specificity ² the least definite/certain
Š Literacy ² absolutely necessary
Š Response rate ² the lowest

22. This problem of a low response rate can have implications for
generalization. Hence the need to incorporate measures in the
design to ensure the highest possible response rate. A common
approach is the use of follow-up mailing. Can take two forms:
Š Reminder only to non- respondents
Š Letter to all, thanking those who have responded and a reminder to
those who haven·t as yet.
Š Always include include a copy of the questionnaire
Even with all practical measures, a 100 % response rate will
never be achieved. Researchers must decide, in advance, what
rate is considered acceptable ² that is, the minimum rate that
will not introduce response bias.

23. Most popular form in the Caribbean. Interviewers ask
questions and record answers as given. Most obtrusive
form,
so special attention must be paid to interviewers·
competence,
behaviour and appearance.
Interviewers should,therefore, always
Š display a pleasant and professional demeanor
Š be familiar with questionnaire and research area.
Š follow wording and format of questionnaire exactly
Š record responses exactly as given
Š use probing questions cautiously.
Š be properly trained.

24. Š Cost ² the most expensive
Š Time ² the most time consuming
Š Degree of obtrusion ² the most obtrusive
Š Specificity ² the most specific
Š Literacy ² not necessary
Š Response rate ² the highest

25. Most convenient approach, but with obvious
Biases. Will have access only to those
Š with telephones
Š who are listed in the directory
Š are available at the time of the interview

26. Š Cost ²
Š Time ²
Š Degree of obtrusion ²
Š Specificity ²
Š Literacy ²
Š Response rate ²

27. 1. Identification and specification of variables.
2. Choosing question format.
3. Choosing response modes.
4. Preparing questions/items
5. Construction of the instrument.
6. Pilot testing ² Test for reliability and validity.
7. Make required adjustments.
8. Repeat 6.