Comprehensive Guide to Questionnaires and Interviews in Research Methods

What main topics are covered in Chapter 8 on questionnaires?

The use of questionnaires, their advantages and disadvantages, and key issues in questionnaire design and administration.

What are online questionnaires and give two software examples?

Questionnaires delivered via the internet using software such as Qualtrics, Google Docs or SurveyMonkey.

What is a postal questionnaire?

A questionnaire sent and returned by mail, now used less frequently.

What is a telephone questionnaire?

A questionnaire administered over the phone or online platforms such as Skype, Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

What is a face-to-face questionnaire?

An in-person questionnaire where the researcher and participant are in the same location and questions are asked directly.

What is one major advantage of using questionnaires related to sample size and location?

Accessibility to geographically dispersed samples and the ability to investigate a much larger sample.

How can questionnaires reduce bias compared with interviews?

There is less opportunity for the researcher to introduce bias through their presence or reactions.

Why can questionnaires offer greater anonymity?

The respondent can complete them without the researcher present, which is helpful for sensitive topics like cheating or drug use.

What is one advantage of questionnaires related to data format?

They provide structured data that is easy to convert into tables, charts and statistical analysis.

What are two disadvantages of questionnaires related to interaction with respondents?

There is no chance to clarify complex questions and no opportunity to probe or expand on answers.

Why is there 'no control over who completes the questionnaire' considered a disadvantage?

Because someone other than the intended respondent could fill it out, reducing data accuracy.

What is a closed or pre-coded question?

A question where the respondent selects one or more answers from a set of pre-determined response options.

What is an open question?

A question where the respondent writes their own answer without being prompted by fixed choices.

When are closed questions generally preferred over open questions?

When quantitative, simple, and clearly anticipated responses are needed from a pre-determined set of options.

When are open questions generally preferred over closed questions?

When qualitative, complex, or unpredictable responses are needed in the respondent's own words.

What is a Likert scale question?

A question that asks respondents to indicate their level of agreement or attitude on a graded scale from one extreme to another.

What is a semantic differential question?

A scale that measures reaction to a concept using contrasting adjective pairs at each end, such as relaxed-anxious or optimistic-pessimistic.

What is a ranking question?

A question in which respondents place items in order of preference or importance.

What is a filter question and why is it used?

A question used to direct respondents past irrelevant questions by routing only relevant participants to follow-up items.

What are two important principles for ordering questions in a questionnaire?

Start with simple factual closed questions and group similar topics together while placing complex or personal questions later.

Why is piloting a questionnaire important before full distribution?

It checks clarity of wording and sequence, estimates completion time, tests administration procedures, and provides a dry run for data analysis.

Name two strategies for increasing questionnaire response rates.

Use a clear covering letter or email, send follow-up reminders, offer reasonable incentives, use professional layout, and make return easy.

What main topics are covered in Chapter 9 on interviews?

When interviews are appropriate, types of interviews, issues in interview design and administration, and the concept of focus groups.

When are interviews an appropriate data collection tool?

When richer qualitative data are needed, when asking why or how questions, with small or varied samples, or in exploratory research.

What is a structured interview?

An interview that follows a fixed series of pre-set questions with little or no deviation.

What is a semi-structured interview?

An interview with a standard set of questions but flexibility to change order, add questions, or probe for more detail.

What is an unstructured interview?

An interview with no fixed questions where the interviewer has general topics but the interviewee largely guides the conversation.

What is a narrative interview?

An interview that allows participants to tell and develop their own stories and life histories with minimal interruption.

What is a focus group?

A group interview, usually with about four to eight participants, in which interaction between members is an important source of data.

What is one key advantage of interviews compared with questionnaires?

They allow participants to talk in their own words, elaborate on important issues, and may reveal unexpected data.

How can face-to-face interviews provide additional insight beyond spoken answers?

They allow observation of body language, facial expressions and tone of voice.

Why are interviews useful for certain target groups such as less educated or younger respondents?

These groups may find it harder to complete written surveys but can participate in verbal interviews.

What is one major disadvantage of interviews related to resources?

They require considerable time and travel, which may limit who can be interviewed.

How can interviewer behaviour introduce bias into an interview?

The interviewer's verbal and non-verbal reactions can unconsciously influence or lead the respondent.

What is an interview schedule?

A guide for the interview, often a list of bullet-point topics or questions to cover, which is less rigid than a questionnaire.

What are two good practices for structuring an interview schedule?

Group related questions together, start with easy non-threatening questions, and move personal or sensitive questions toward the end.

What is meant by gathering 'rich' data in interviews?

Obtaining detailed, in-depth responses by building rapport, avoiding yes-no questions, using clear language and allowing silence.

What are clarification probes?

Follow-up questions used to clarify unclear points or ensure the interviewer correctly understands the interviewee's response.

What are elaboration probes?

Follow-up questions used to encourage the interviewee to expand on or deepen their answer about a particular topic.

Name two guidelines for asking sensitive questions in interviews.

Stress confidentiality, use neutral language, delay sensitive questions until trust is built, explain why they are asked and never coerce answers.

What is photo-elicitation in interviewing?

A visual method where images are used to stimulate discussion and deeper reflection during the interview.

Who are key informants in research interviewing?

People with specialist knowledge or experience who can provide particularly valuable information about the topic.

What is the role of the interviewer in a focus group?

To act as a facilitator, guiding discussion, encouraging interaction among participants and ensuring that key topics are covered.

Why are interviews especially useful in exploratory research?

They can uncover varied, complex and unforeseen information that helps refine research questions and future investigations.