Questionnaires

• Questionnaires: A questionnaire is a document that is used to gather information from a large number of people.
• Two types of questionnaire: Open and closed.
• Questionnaire guidelines:

  • Use simple questions.
  • Give clear instructions.
  • Give a range of options.
  • Don't ask embarrassing questions.
  • Don't use terms no one knows the meaning to.
• Closed- ended questionnaires: A questionnaire that only has multiple choice questions, the participant cant add their own thoughts.
• Open-ended questionnaires: A questionnaire that has space for the participant to write down their answer to the questions.
• Questionnaire evaluation (practical factors):

  • Strength- Quick and cheap way of gathering a large amount of data.
  • Strength- No need to recruit or train staff.
  • Strength- Data is easy to quantify.
  • Limitation- Data is quite limited as answers must be brief.
  • Limitation- May need to offer incentives.
• Questionnaire evaluation (Ethical factors):

  • Strength- Pose fewer ethical problems.
  • Strength- Respondents give consent by answering the questionnaire.
  • Strength- No one will be in danger.
  • Limitation- People in vulnerable groups may not be able to complete it or have the capacity to understand it.
• Questionnaire evaluation (Theoretical factors):

  • Strength- Closed are reliable, open are valid.
  • Strength- Easy to get representiveness.
  • Strength- positivists and interpretivists would agree with either closed or open.
  • Limitation- May not get good response rates from certain minorities.