Questionnaire and Schedule Data collection tools

2. Social
Science is
ABSTRACT
EMPIRICISM
(പരിജ്ഞാനം)
as science
FACTS
quantified
FACTS
qualified

3. • an inexpensive way to gather data from a potentially
large number of respondents
QUESTIONAIRES
• in technical terms, the set of questions which is
mailed to the respondents
RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIREs
• comparatively an expensive way to gather data,
actually filled by the enumerators / researchers
responsible
RESEARCH SCHEDULES

4. Questionnaires are an inexpensive tool for data collection
Questionnaires are generally sent through mail or through
investigators to respondents
But the responder remains incognito
And the method is very slow
Also non-response becomes a major problem as responders either
do not return answered questionnaires or do not answer them
at all!

5. A rather expensive method as enumerators do not
come cheap or research scholar expenses often run high
Schedules are filled by the enumerator / researcher who
can also interpret the question if necessary
Needless to say, the identity of the respondents is
known
Information collection is both assured and punctual

6. • Only feasible methods to reach a number of respondents
large enough to allow a reliable statistical analysis
• A well-designed questionnaire coupled with its efficient
use to gather data can result in effective structuring of
analyses
• However, although these are cheap methods, they are
taxing in terms of designing-time and interpretation
• Questionnaires and schedules are flexible in what they can
measure although they each have shortcomings in certain
genres of collection

7. I
• Define the objectives of the survey
II
• Determine the sampling group
III
• Write the questionnaire (language and item-
writing)
IV
• Administer the questionnaire
V
• Interpret the results

8. I
• Define the objectives and required specific
information
II
• Identify the source and its size to obtain
information
III
• Assess the study time and cost
IV
• Working methodology and action plan
V
• Collect data and prepare an analysis report

9. • No governing rule as to choosing between either
• Think of the type of information to be gathered,
resources available, type of survey/experiment
• Resources are limited
• Participant privacy is necessary
• Corroborating other findings
Questionnaires are
preferred in these
circumstances:

10. Ask only
necessary
background
questions
Avoid sensitive
and
embarrassing
questions
Keep questions
simple and
straightforward
Do not ask
questions that
turn off the
participants’
spirits

11. TYPES OF
QUESTIONS
Open format
Ask for
unprompted
opinions (free to
answer)
Solicit objective
data
Closed format
Multiple Choice
Questions
Logical ‘yes’ or ‘no’
type
Structured
Unstructured

12. ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE

13. ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE
No place for
expression
Hardly any
thinking
Not much
involvement
Easy to
compute results
Quick and not
boring
Easy to answer

14. Number of questions is at the researcher’s
discretion
• Think of the interviewee’s patience, resources and how
difficult analysis becomes with unnecessary questions
Question precision is important
• E.g. very often, often, sometimes, rarely, never vs.
everyday, 3-6 times a week, about once a month

15. Question clarity is important
• E.g. Are you interested in renting out a house? and Are you
interested in renting a house?
Avoid leading questions that hint at an answer
• E.g. superb, excellent, great, good, fair vs. partially agree,
totally agree, disagree, neither agree nor disagree
Phrase questions with care
• E.g. think of childish and childlike

16. Opt for declarative concluding questions
• Look to achieve affirmation of statements previously made
Avoid loaded questions
• E.g. M K Gandhi vs. Fundamentalists: who advocated
communal harmony?
Avoid ambiguous questions
• E.g. Are you interested in a small house? Think of what the
word interested may refer to: buying or renting?

17. Avoid double-barreled questions
• E.g. Do you favor or oppose the food security bill?
Avoid hypothetical questions?
• E.g. If you were the governor, what would you do to stop
crime?
Avoid long questions, negations and tautologies
• E.g. Do you think it is safe to say, with the best interests of the
authenticity of the survey in mind, that you can state without fear of
contradiction that you do not really like it or you are not for it or that
you accept said fact simply because of their force?

18. Overall and intra-sequential consistency in framing questions
(അനുക്രമമായി)
Work on re-enforcing questions knowing their usefulness
Avoid haphazard questions (അടുക്ും ചിട്ടയുമില്ലാത്ത)
Reason analysis is important
Pilot survey is a good idea before finalisation
Remember to keep a diary in case of Panel Surveys

19. Prepare drafts and regularly re-evaluate
Always maintain neutrality in questions
Avoid personalisation and presumptuous ( ധിക്ാരത്ത്താടട )
questions
Improvise
Mechanics of questionnaires and schedules are equally
important

20. Note of thanks
Recall questions
Pattern
Margin
Spacing
Sectionisation
Precoding
Item numbering
Instructions on questionnaires and schedules