DEVELOPING A QUESTIONNAIRE

Summary

This educational video provides valuable guidance on creating a high-quality research instrument, with a focus on developing effective questionnaires. It highlights the importance of clear instructions, well-organized sections (such as personal information and the body of the questionnaire), and writing simple, unambiguous questions. The speaker stresses the significance of appropriate language for the target audience, the need to avoid bias, and the proper formatting of the instrument. The video also emphasizes how careful planning in the design stage can prevent data collection errors and save time in the research process.

Takeaways

• 😀 Research instruments must be well-designed to avoid poor data and incorrect conclusions.
• 😀 A flawed research instrument, like a poorly designed questionnaire, can lead to wasted time and resources, requiring a complete redo of data collection.
• 😀 Developing a research instrument, especially a questionnaire, requires significant effort and advanced preparation.
• 😀 A questionnaire typically consists of three parts: general instructions, personal information, and the main body of questions.
• 😀 General instructions in a questionnaire provide respondents with information about the study's purpose, confidentiality, voluntary participation, and how to submit the completed form.
• 😀 The personal information section collects relevant demographic data, helping researchers understand their sample and answer research questions.
• 😀 The body of the questionnaire should have clear instructions on how to respond, ensuring respondents know whether to check or circle their answers.
• 😀 The questions in a questionnaire should be simple, clear, and direct to avoid confusion or misinterpretation.
• 😀 Avoid double-barreled questions (those that ask about two things at once) and ensure the questions do not lead to biased or embarrassing responses.
• 😀 Formatting matters: ensure consistent font style, size, and spacing to maintain readability, and consider including appropriate response formats (e.g., checkboxes or circles).

Q & A

Why is a good research instrument important?

A poorly designed research instrument can lead to bad data, which results in inaccurate conclusions. If issues arise with the instrument after data collection, you will need to start the entire process over, wasting time, effort, and resources.

What are the main parts of a typical research questionnaire?

A typical research questionnaire consists of three parts: general instructions, personal information, and the body of the questionnaire. Each section serves a specific purpose to guide respondents through the survey process.

What should be included in the general instructions of a questionnaire?

The general instructions should explain the purpose of the research, provide confidentiality statements, mention voluntary participation, and include details on how respondents should submit their responses.

How can the personal information section of a questionnaire be used effectively?

The personal information section gathers demographic data, such as age or gender, which helps provide context for your study. It can also serve as a warm-up to make respondents more comfortable before answering the main questions.

What are the key considerations when writing the body of the questionnaire?

When writing the body of the questionnaire, it’s important to provide clear directions on how respondents should answer, ensure items are logically organized, and use simple, clear wording for each question.

Why is it important to avoid double-barreled questions in a questionnaire?

Double-barreled questions are confusing because they ask about two different things in one question. This can lead to unclear or biased responses, so it's best to ask one question at a time.

What should be considered when choosing the language for a questionnaire?

The language used should be appropriate for the target audience. For example, if your respondents are college students, the language should reflect their level of understanding, avoiding complex or unfamiliar terms.

What are some examples of questions to avoid in a questionnaire?

Avoid questions that could lead to biased responses, such as those that suggest a particular answer. Additionally, questions with double negatives or phrasing that could embarrass respondents should be avoided.

How can the formatting of a questionnaire impact its effectiveness?

Proper formatting ensures that the questionnaire is easy to follow and visually appealing. This includes using consistent fonts, appropriate spacing, and clear organization. A well-formatted questionnaire helps reduce confusion and encourages respondents to provide accurate answers.

What are some tips for ensuring a high-quality questionnaire?

To ensure a high-quality questionnaire, use clear, simple language, avoid unnecessary coding or confusing scales, number the questions consecutively, and maintain a consistent and professional layout. Additionally, review the questionnaire for clarity and coherence before distributing it.