Questionnaire Surveys
Obtaining data by asking people questions and recording their answers…
•A standardised set of questions is given to each respondent; they give their answers in writing•Obtains lots of data quickly and gives you an insight into people’s views, opinions and attitudes
But only if they answer accurately / honestly.
Questionnaire Surveys
• Decide:…which attitudes, behaviours or traits you want to
measure…whether you want qualitative or quantitative data…which sorts of questions you will ask
• Pilot and modify the questionnaire
• Collect data
Type of Data
• Qualitative data
Rich in detail or description, usually in textual or narrative form; collects thought, opinions, feelings; words
• Quantitative data
Numerical data, measurements of quantity or amount; numbers
Type of Data
Qualitative
•Rich - in detail•Allows for in-depth analysisBUT•Difficult to analyse•Difficult to compare people or groups
Quantitative
•Easier to analyse (e.g. statistically)•Easier to compare people or groupsBUT•Undetailed and potentially superficial
Types of Question
Open questions
• Allow respondents to answer however they want
• Generate qualitative data
Closed questions
• Restrict respondent to a predetermined set of responses
• Generate quantitative data
Types of Closed Question
The Straightforward response
Examples:
• Are you female or male? M F
• What is your age in years? ____ years
• Do you smoke? Yes No
Types of Closed Question
The Checklist
Examples:
• What is the highest academic qualification you hold?
GCSEsA – LevelsBatchelor DegreePost-graduate Degree
Types of Closed Question
The Adjectival/adverbial responseExample:• Does your anxiety affect your ability to do the
following things?Not at allNot at all A BitA Bit Very muchVery much
Go to workGo to work
Meet Meet friendsfriends
Go Go shoppingshopping
Types of Closed Question
The Numerical (Likert) response scale
Example:
• Psychology is the most interesting A-Level subject
11 22 33 44 55Strongly Strongly
agreeagree AgreeAgree Not sureNot sure DisagreeDisagree Strongly Strongly DisagreeDisagree
Types of Closed Question
The Ranking scale
Example:
• Rank the following activities according to how much time you spend on them each day, where 1 = most time, 4 = least timeTalking face to faceTalking on the telephoneText messagingOther (e.g. MSN, IRC chat)
Questionnaire Design
• Keep it simple & clear
• Keep it as short as possible
• Keep it relevant to purpose
• Collect personal information last
• Ask for one piece of information at a time
• Allow for ‘don’t know’ where appropriate
• Be sensitiveSticking to these rules will improve the chance of you getting
valid, useful data from a large number of respondents
Pilot and Modify
Test Questionnaire with a small group
of ppts
Obtain feedback from them
Identify issues with the
questionnaire
Improve the problem
questionnaire items