This document provides guidance on conducting questionnaire surveys. It outlines the basic process as: 1) defining research aims, 2) identifying the population and sample, 3) deciding how to collect responses, 4) designing the questionnaire, 5) running a pilot survey, 6) carrying out the main survey, and 7) analyzing the data. It emphasizes that the questionnaire design must address the needs of the research and ensure the right questions are asked. It also provides tips for writing questions, such as using simple wording, minimizing questions, and employing logical sequencing and appropriate question formats like open-ended, close-ended, and rating scales. Pilot testing the survey is also recommended.

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Prepared by: Zekria Muzafar

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Introduction
 Designed for students and novice researchers to carry out a
questionnaire survey.
 Surveys are expensive and time consuming.
 Data analysis should be extensive and well prepared.
 The strength of the analysis depends on good quality data.

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Surveys
 Basic process of survey research:
1. Define your research aims
2. Identify the population and sample
3. Decide how to collect replies
4. Design your questionnaire
5. Run a pilot survey
6. Carry out the main survey
7. Analyse the data
 Crucial part is making sure that the questionnaire design addresses the need
of the research.
 Ensure the questions asked are right ones

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Define your research aims
 Start by setting down the aims
 Review the relevant literature
 Do some preliminary research amongst your target subject
 Mistake of too many questions
 Greatest enemy in survey research may well be poor response
rate
 Clear and concise questionnaires can help get the best response

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Identify the population and sample
 The population is simply all the members of he group you are
interested in
 A sample is a sub-set of the population chosen because to
access all members of the population is prohibitive in time,
money and other resources.
 To determine the sample size it is usual to work back from how
many responses are required for the analysis.
 Example: If your research is to compare male and female then
you should look for about 40 males and 40 females in your
responses.

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Decide how to collect replies
 Decide the survey is to be completed by the respondent directly
or through an interviewer, and design the questionnaire, and
any other documents, accordingly.
 Explain why they should answer (persuasively=improve
response rate).
 By post or email or indirect means provide a letter that explains
what is it about and why they should answer.

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Systematic sampling
 This strategy is useful in an instance where the
total population is unknown.
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Constructing survey questionnaire
 Writing a Survey Lead-In/Purpose
An important element of a successful survey is conveying
necessary background information to the respondent through a
lead-in statement.
- Survey purpose and goals should be addressed
- Time requirement for completion

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Consider the Level of Respondent Knowledge
 When creating a survey, you should consider the level
of knowledge respondents possess about the topic.
Respondents may be highly informed about an issue
or have little to no knowledge about the subject

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Simple Wording
 Construct survey questions as simply as possible.
 The greater a respondent understands what is being asked
 Example: what is the relative annual frequency of your
utilization of RV parks when visiting areas along the South
Carolina coast?
- approximately how many times per year do you stay in an RV
park when visiting the South Carolina coast?
 Minimize Questions
 Consider the amount of time it will take a respondent to
complete a survey.
 Generally, the shorter the survey, the more accurate and
complete the resulting information

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Sequential Questioning
 All survey questions should follow a logical and sequential
order.
 Write Neutral, Non-leading Questions
 Consider the language used to construct questions.
 Example: What is the cause of current managerial problems in
your workplace?
-Do you feel there are current managerial problems
in your workplace? If yes, please explain.

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Determine Appropriate Question Format
 There are two basic types of questions: open-ended and close-ended
 Open-ended: Responses are referred to as qualitative information and provide in-
depth information.
 Close-ended: Questions that are answered by selecting a numeric and categorical
response.
 1. What action(s) will you take (if any) to help reduce water consumption along the
Florida Gulf Coast?
 2. Which of the following best describes what you will do to reduce water
consumption along the Florida Gulf Coast?
a. Limit personal consumption and inform others of the value of this practice
b. Limit personal consumption
c. Inform others of the value of limiting water consumption
d. Take no action
e. Not sure
f . Other (plea se expla in) _________________.

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Using Rating Scales
 Rating scales are a commonly used means of measuring attributes such as
quality, satisfaction, or level of agreement.
 Example: Please rank on a scale of 1 to 5 how satisfied you are with the
number of parking spaces at beach access areas on the main island (Please
circle the number of your response).
______________________________________________________________
1 2 3 4 5
Very Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Very
Dissatisfied Dissatisfied Satisfied Satisfied

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Demographic and Sensitive Information
 Generally, demographic attributes (gender, age, income, etc.) should be
placed at the end of a survey.
 Demographic questions, if needed, will require minimal time and effort.
 Avoid requesting any information that could be considered sensitive unless
absolutely necessary.
 Examples of potentially sensitive information are identified below:
- Age
- Race
- Gender
- Income
- Physical or mental limitations
- Taboo topics such as frequency of drug use or sexual orientation

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Pilot testing
 It is of great benefit to pilot or pre-test a survey before initiating a full study.
 The pilot test should be administered to a small group of individuals who
are as similar as possible to those being sampled.
 The purpose of this is twofold. First, it allows the researcher to gauge the
types of responses being received for each question. It may be found that
respondents do not understand the directions or are misinterpreting a
question.
 Secondly, it serves as a means of quality assurance for grammar, sentence
structure, and clarity.
 A survey should be clear, concise, and understandable.
 A pilot test is an additional measure that can be taken to maximize the
effectiveness of a survey.

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