questionnaires

• What is a common method for gathering data about people?

  Using questionnaires
• How can questionnaires be distributed to respondents?

  By post, email, or in person
• What are the two types of questions in questionnaires?

  Closed-ended and open-ended questions
• What do closed-ended questions require from respondents?

  Choosing from a limited range of answers
• How are answers to closed-ended questions coded?

  Each answer is given a code for counting
• What do open-ended questions allow respondents to do?

  Provide answers in their own words
• What are the practical advantages of using questionnaires?

  • Quick and cheap data collection
  • No need for trained interviewers
  • Easy quantification of data
• Who conducted a study using nearly 4,000 questionnaires?

  Helen Connor and Sara Dewson
• Why are questionnaires considered reliable?

  They yield similar results when repeated
• How does the presence of a researcher affect questionnaire responses?

  It can influence respondents' answers
• What can researchers compare using questionnaires?

  Results over time and between societies
• How can questionnaires help in hypothesis testing?

  They reveal cause and effect relationships
• Why do positivists favor questionnaires?

  They maintain detachment and objectivity
• What is a key advantage of questionnaires regarding representativeness?

  They can collect data from many people
• What ethical considerations should researchers keep in mind with questionnaires?

  Informed consent and anonymity
• What are the main disadvantages of questionnaires?

  • Limited and superficial data
  • Low response rates
  • Inflexibility in questioning
  • Potential for unrepresentative samples
• Why might data from questionnaires be considered limited?

  They need to be brief for completion
• What is a potential issue with low response rates in questionnaires?

  Non-respondents may differ from respondents
• What can increase the response rate of questionnaires?

  Sending follow-up questionnaires
• What does inflexibility in questionnaires mean for researchers?

  They cannot change questions once finalized
• What do questionnaires fail to capture about social reality?

  Changes in attitudes and behavior over time
• Why do interpretivists criticize questionnaires?

  They lack validity and personal connection
• What issues can arise from respondents' willingness to answer questions?

  They may lie or forget information
• What is 'right answerism' in the context of questionnaires?

  Respondents give socially acceptable answers
• What are questionnaires favored by positivists?

  A form of social survey
• How can questionnaires be distributed?

  Via post, email, or in person
• What type of questions do questionnaires typically contain?

  Closed-end questions with pre-coded answers
• What are the advantages of using questionnaires?

  • Practical: cheap and quick
  • Quantifiable data
  • Representative: reach a widespread sample
  • Reliable: easily repeatable
  • Limited ethical issues: no obligation to answer
• What are the disadvantages of using questionnaires?

  • Low response rate, especially postal
  • Low validity: potential for dishonesty
  • Unrepresentative sample: certain groups may dominate
  • Lack of interviewer for follow-up questions
• Why might postal questionnaires hinder representativity?

  They often obtain a very low response rate
• What is a potential issue with the validity of questionnaire responses?

  People may be more willing to lie
• Which groups are likely to respond to questionnaires?

  Unemployed or elderly individuals
• What is a limitation of questionnaires regarding interviewer presence?

  Interviewers can't ask follow-up questions