Lecture 10 - Questionnaire and Sampling

What is a questionnaire?

An instrument or tool for the collection of same information from a group of respondents in a survey. It contains a list of questions relevant to the objective of the survey. Blank space or choice of answers is provided with each question to obtain information from respondents.

What are the criteria of an ideal questionnaire?

1) well written list of questions

2) important topics

3) seeks data that cannot be obtained from other sources

4) efficiency: short and comprehensive
5) designed attractive to look at
6) ambiguity: clear and complete instructions

7) topics presented in a logical manner

8) avoids double barreled, double negative questions, overlapping answers

What is a double barreled question?

A double-barreled question contains two issues and it is impossible to give a single answer to cover them both.

What is the format of a questionnaire?

Structured and unstructured

What is a structured question?

Structured questions are single select or multiselect questions. Can be MCQ, check items on a list, yes or no. Easily compiled and analyzed but respondents cannot express opinions freely.

What is an unstructured question?

Open ended questions, responses cannot be compiled or analyzed.

Pros of questionnaire

1) less expensive
2) free from bias of interviewers or researchers

3) respondents get enough time to answer
4) can reach distant areas

Cons of questionnaire

1) incomplete or inaccurate information
2) high non response

3) only for the educated class

What is schedule?

An instrument or tool for the collection of same information from a group of respondents in a survey. It contains a list of questions relevant to the objective of the survey. Blank space or choice of answers is provided with each question to obtain information from respondents. It is filled out by the interviewer or researcher instead of the respondent.

Pros of schedule

1) information collected wont be incomplete

2) low nonresponse

3) used for both educated and uneducated class

Cons of schedule

1) more expensive

2) bias from interviewers

3) regional coverage is lower