The document provides tips for gathering survey data through formal processes such as questionnaires and interviews. It discusses how to ensure survey sampling is done correctly, create effective questionnaires, conduct interviews, avoid biases in data gathering and analysis, and write good questions. Key tips include keeping questions short and simple, avoiding double-barreled or leading questions, considering the respondent's perspective and attention span, and using a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions appropriately.

1. Task 3 Gather Data through formal processes

2. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Tips for ensuring survey sampling is correct Avoid double-barreled questions Keep the questions short Don’t antagonize your respondents Limit open-ended questions Don’t lead with responses Consider the respondents’ attention span

3. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Tips for creating questionnaires Understand the reasons and background for your survey. You need to consider your audience before you can develop questions and format your survey. Determining your sample size will help you decide which type of survey to use. Define your survey’s mission The key to a successful survey is ensuring that your questions are concise, easy-to understand and give you valid and reliable information.

4. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Tips for interviewing groups Keep the number of questions to five to six. Ask open-ended questions; avoid simple yes or no questions. Ask the questions in a logical order, moving from the general to the specific. Use probes, such as: “Does anyone feel differently?” or “Are there any other points of view?”

5. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Tips for interviewing groups Conducting the Interview Welcome the group and give an overview of the interview, including its purpose and process. Ask participants to speak one at a time and note that it’s fine for people to disagree. Tell participants how the information from the interview will be used and whether they could be identifiable in any products. Let them know that individual comments will be confidential. Encourage participants to share their points of view even when they’re different. Tell the group there are no right or wrong answers. Be clear about which questions are ones you want answered by everyone and which ones can be answered by anyone wants to speak. Consider including activities to promote discussion and deeper thinking, such as starting with a force-field analysis before discussing the issue.

6. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Data bias _ particularly how easy it is to manipulate data analysis to suit a particular goal – including ways to control bias when gathering data through formal processes Make sure that your terminology is not emotive or directional Be aware of the context your questions are set in Questions should be used purposely to achieve well-defined goals Do not load your questions with non-neutral wording eg. “ Are you in favor of educational institution requiring that all lecturers join a union, thus raising educational costs?” Do not word your questions so they unduly influence responses eg. “ do you think the US was right or wrong in sending American troops to stop the Communist Invasion of South Korea?”

7. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Data bias-Open ended questions-pros Puts interviewee at ease Provides rich detail Reveals avenues of further questioning Allows more spontaneity Easier for an unprepared interviewer

8. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Data bias-Open ended questions-cons Too much irrelevant detail May lose control of the interview Lengthy answers that do not give much useful information Interviewer may seem unprepared May give impression of fishing expedition

9. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Data bias-Closed question-pros Save time easy to compare interviews Get to the point Keep control of the interview Cover lots of ground quickly Get relevant data

10. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Data bias-Closed questions-cons An interviewer who uses this method of questioning will only get their own opinion confirmed Boring for the interviewee Fails in obtaining rich detail Miss the main ideas May fail to build rapport between the interviewer and the interviewee

11. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Use Closed-ended questions rather than Open-ended ones Most questionnaires rely on questions with a fixed number of response categories from which respondents select their answers. These are useful because the respondents know clearly the purpose of the question and are limited to a set of choices where one answer is right for them. An open-ended question is a written response. For example: "If you do not want a company picnic, please explain why". If there are an excessive number of written response questions, it reduces the quality and attention the respondents give to the answers.

12. Prepare a presentation or paper discussing the following: Tips for writing questions Thoroughly research your subject Avoid double-barreled questions Be relevant Write a short questionnaire. above all. your questionnaire should be as short as possible. Use simple words Start with interesting questions Don't write leading questions Put your questions in a logical order. The issues raised in one question can influence how people think about subsequent questions.