Questionnaire Design by Dikshit Abrol

8/14/2019 Questionnaire Design by Dikshit Abrol

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Term Paper Presentation

Prepared by: DikshitAbrolMBA .

DayalBagh Educational


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There are two main objectives in designing

a questionnaire:

To maximize the proportion of subjects

answering our questionnaire - that is, theresponse rate.

To obtain accurate relevant information for

our survey.


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How to write questions

How to draft and organize aquestionnaire


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You must ask the right question.

Respondents must understand your

question.

Respondents must know the answer.

Respondents must be willing and able to

tell you the answer.


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Think through your research questions and

objectives before you write questions.

Prepare an analysis plan before you write

questions.

Ask yourself, in relation to points #1 and #2

above, if each question on your list is


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Some general rules can be stated on

question wording:

Be concise and unambiguous

Avoid double questions

Sometimes questions hide a dual question, for example:

Do you think the British should eat less and exercise

more?

Instead ask: (Please circle

relevant number)

Yes No

Do you think the British should eat less 1 2

Do you think the British should exercise more 1 2


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Ask for precise answers

Ask for precise answers if you think the information is

available and there are no other constraints (e.g. too

intrusive on privacy).

For example:

Is preferable to:Are you

Give your age on lst September

2001

years

Under 18

18-65

Over 65


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Avoid leading questions

Leading questions such as Do you agree with the majority

of people that the health service is failing? should be

avoided for obvious reasons that any right-minded

individual can see.

Avoid Questions Involving NegativesDon't confuse the respondent by language like this:

(Please circle relevant number)Yes No

Are you against a ban on smoking 1 2


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One that yields a truthful, accurate answer.

One that asks for one answer on one dimension.

One that accommodates all possible

contingencies of response.

One that uses specific, simple language.

One that has mutually exclusive response

options.

One that produces variability in response.

One that is pretested.


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Bad question :

In the past 6 months, what

major

appliances has your

household purchased

new from the store?

Better question:

Now Im going to read a

list of household

appliances. As I read each

one, please tell me

whether or not your

household has

purchased this type of

appliance new from

the store during the past 6

months. How


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Bad Question :

Compared to one year

ago, are you paying

more, less, or about

the same for your auto

and life insurance?

Better Question :

Compared to one year

ago, are you now

paying more, less, or

about the same for

a. auto insurance?

b. life insurance?


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Specify who, what, when, where andhow.

For example, whose income? Whatsincluded? Over what period of time?


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Example

People drink beer in many places for

example, at home, at restaurants, at

bars, sporting events, at friends

homes, etc. During the past 30 days,

did you drink any beer?


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Ambiguous :

How would you

compare how close

you are to family in

your current

neighborhood and

how close you were

in your old

neighborhood?

More Clear:

Compared to your last

neighborhood, do you

now live closer to

your family, or are

you about the same

distance?


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May make it too easy to answer without

thinking May limit spontaneity

Not best when

asking for frequency of sensitive behaviors

there are numerous possible responses


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Part 2


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Segment by topic.

Ask about related topics together.

Salient questions take precedence over less

salient ones.

Ask recall backwards in time.

Use transitions when changing topics give a

sense of progress through the questionnaire.

Leave objectionable questions (e.g., income)

for the end.


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Start with easy questions that all

respondents can answer with little

effort

First questions should also be non-

threatening Dont start with knowledge or

awareness questions

First questions should be directly


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Introduction should indicate:

who is conducting the survey.

the topics to be covered in the survey.

an assurance of confidentiality.


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Number all questions sequentially.

Use large, clear type; dont crowd.

White space: Place more blank space

between questions than between

subcomponents of questions.

List answer categories vertically instead of

horizontally.

Be consistent with direction of response


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Dont split questions across pages. If

necessary restate question and response

categories on next page

Put special instructions on questionnaire as

needed, next to question

Precode the questionnaire


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Include a cover letter and contact information

if the respondent needs help.

Use a booklet format

Easier to turn pages.

Prevents lost pages.

Permits double-page formats.

Looks more professional.

Include a title, graphic, name/address of sponsor on

cover.


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Preferable to test the questionnaires

with people like those in your main

study population.

Test in same mode to be used for main

study.


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Questionnaire design is a long process

that demands careful attention. A

questionnaire is a powerful evaluation tool

and should not be taken lightly. Design

begins with an understanding of the

capabilities of a questionnaire and how

they can help your research. If it is


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There are many guidelines that must be

met before you questionnaire can be

considered a sound research tool. The

majority deal with making the questionnaire

understandable and free of bias. Mindful

review and testing is necessary to weed out

minor mistakes that can cause great

changes in meaning and interpretation.


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Questionnaire Design by Dikshit Abrol