Seminar on:Questionnaire – Types of questions, Structured

and Unstructured questions, Cautions regarding questions and questionnaires.

Presented by Supervisor

Selvaraja, A. Dr. Y. Venkatesha

Research Scholar Associate Professor

DOS in Library and Information Science

University of Mysore, Manasagangothri

Mysore – 570 006

1. What is a questionnaire? A questionnaire is a set of questions for gathering information from individuals. You can administer questionnaires by mail, telephone, using face-to-face interviews, as handouts, or electronically (i.e., by e- mail or through Web-based questionnaires).

A questionnaire is a series of questions asked to individuals to obtain statistically useful information about a given topic. When properly constructed and responsibly administered, questionnaires become a vital instrument by which statements can be made about specific groups or people or entire populations.

2. Types of questionnaires and questions

Questionnaires can be paper-based, or electronic. 2.1 Structured questionnaires (Closed Ended Questions) are based predominantly on closed questions which produce data that can be analyzed quantitatively for patterns and trends. The agenda is entirely predetermined by the evaluator and provides little flexibility for respondents to qualify their answers.A closed question can be answered with either 'yes' or 'no'.2.1.1 Yes/No Questions 1. Do you have a library membership card?

Yes ( )No ( )

2.1.2 Multiple Choice Questions

What purpose do you visit the library? (Multiple choices)

( ) To read news papers

( ) To refer books

( ) To borrow and return books

( ) To brows Internet

2.1.3 Scaled questions - Responses are graded on a continuum

(example: rate the appearance of the product on a scale from 1 to 10,

with 10 being the most preferred appearance). Examples of types of

scales include the Likert scale, semantic differential scale, and

rank-order scale

A likert scale is commonly used in survey research it is often used to measure respondents attitudes by asking the extent to which they agree or disagree with a particular question or statement.

Example: To what extent the information obtained from the web based resources are useful to you? (Likert Scale)

Sl. No. Extent

1 Unsatisfied

2 Somewhat satisfied

3 Neutral

4 Satisfied

5 Extremely satisfied

Rankings:Please rank the following web based resource usefulness in order of preference (starting from 1 is least preferred and 10 is most preferred).

Sl. No. Web based resources Ranking

(1…………….10)

1 E-books

2 E-journals

3 Discussion forums

4 Databases

2.2 Unstructured questionnaires (Open-ended) Non-structured questions, or open-ended questions, are questions where there is no list of answer choices from which to choose. Respondents are simply asked to write their response to a question. Here is an example:An open question is likely to receive a long answer.Example of a Non-structured Question 1. What are the facilities and services do you expect

from your library?______________________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the benefits for automating a library

housekeeping functions?

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

It is best to use non-structured questions when you are

exploring new ideas and you don't really know what to

expect from the respondents.

2.3 Semi-structured questionnaires (Partially Structured Question) take a mixed approach. In some situations, you may have a partial list of answer choices, but you may still have some doubt or uncertainty about other possible responses. You can create a partially structured question such as the following:Example of a Partially Structured Question What purpose do you use web based resources?•For research work•To write assignments•To improve subject knowledge•For the purpose of seminar presentation Any other (Please specify): 1.________________

2. ________________

2.4 Contingency questions - A question that is answered only if the respondent gives a particular response to a previous question. This avoids asking questions of people that do not apply to them.1. Do you have computer knowledge?

Yes ( )No ( )

2. If ‘yes’ how long have you been using?•From last 6 months ( ) •From last 1 year ( )•From last 2 years ( )•From last 3-4 years ( )

3. Cautions regarding Questions and Questionnaires Construction1. Question number2. Order of Questions3. Check the spellings of the question statements 4. Do not use offensive language 5. Avoid double-meaning Questions6. If there are any difficult terms in the questionnaire than do explain

them 7. Avoid unnecessary questions 8. Know the academic and mental capacities of the target population 9. If there are certain personal or emotional questions ask them in the

middle or at the end10.Don't ask for elaborate answers 11.Use polite language 12.Don't write questions that already contain the answer to the

question13.Let the respondents know that their privacy will be ensured

Thank You…