Kamaljit Caulton

Strategic Research Team

Questionnaire Design

The processThe process

• Why are you creating the questionnaire?• Who is your demographic/sample?• What do you hope to accomplish with the

questionnaire?• How will you use the data you are collecting?• What impact do you hope to make with

the results?

Define your objectives

• What specific information do you want to gain?

• Be methodical • Can you get any data from other sources?• Is this the best method to gather data?• How will you use specific data?

Decide on data required

• Use closed ended questions where possible

• Keep it clear, focussed and short• Use language that your audience

will understand• Provide clear instructions• Ensure a logical order

Writing questions

Types of questions to avoid:

•double negatives•biased/leading questions•double-barrelled questions•questions that make assumptions

Writing questions

Double negative - example

Do you think that libraries should not provide IT facilities to residents?

Yes No

Writing questions

Leading question - example

Do you think that vulnerable, older adults should continue to receive the popular and useful Ring and Ride service?

Yes No

Writing questions

Double-barrelled question - example

Do you think that your local park is safe for adults and children?

Yes No

Writing questions

Question that makes an assumption- example

Do you find the Birmingham City Council smartphone app useful?

Yes No

Writing questions

Demographic

Writing questionsQuestion types

Protocol 1

Writing questions

What is your ethnic group? White English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British Any other White background (write in) ------------------------------------------Asian/Asian British Black African/Caribbean/Black British Other ethnic group (write in)-------------------------------------------

Protocol 1

Writing questions

What is your ethnic group? White English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British Irish Gypsy or Irish Traveller Any other White background (write in) ---------------------------------------------------- Mixed/multiple ethnic groups White and Black Caribbean/African White and Asian Any other Mixed background (write in) ---------------------------------------------------- Asian/Asian British Indian Pakistani Kashmiri Bangladeshi Chinese Any other Asian background (write in)----------------------------------------------------- Black African/Caribbean/Black British African Caribbean Any other Black/African/Caribbean background (write in)----------------------------- Other ethnic group Arab Any other ethnic group (write in)-------------------------------------------------------------

Writing questionsQuestion types

Choice A

Choice B

Choice C

Other

Multiple choice

Which of the following facilities did you use at the library during the last six months? (Tick all that apply)

ComputersBook lendingEvents for children (e.g. story-telling sessions)Events for adults (e.g. job fairs)Other (please specify)……………………………………

Writing questionsMultiple choice

Rating scales

Writing questionsQuestion types

How satisfied are you with the self service facilities at your local library?

Very satisfiedSatisfiedNeither satisfied nor dissatisfiedDissatisfiedVery dissatisfied

Writing questionsRating scales

Comment/essay box

Writing questionsQuestion types

What do you think about the Birmingham library?

Writing questionsComment/essay box

How do you think customer service could be improved at your local library? (250 words max.)

Writing questionsComment/essay box

Review and test

• Are the questions easy to understand?

• Do the responses make sense?

• Is the order logical?• Check for bias• Test for timing

Review and testGet others to test it

• Online collection– Be Heard facility, – Survey Monkey etc

• In person• Post

• Quantitative analysis• Qualitative analysis

Collect results and analyse

Other considerations• Introduction• Number of responses – impact on analysis and

statistical indication• Do you need more than one questionnaire for

different groups (e.g. children and adults)?• Timing – consider your audience• Send reminders• Confidentiality and anonymity

Other considerations

The processThe process

Any questions?