Wk 7 Lecture Designing A Questionnaire

CC 2040 English for Academic Studies [Health Care] Research Skills I: Designing a questionnaire

11

Questionnaire Survey It is a research method to collect data or information by administering a predesigned questionnaire to a sample drawn from the population (the entire group under research). 22

Steps to Doing a Questionnaire Survey

 Defining the Objectives  Determining the Sample  Writing the Questions



 Administering the Questionnaire  Interpreting the Results 33

Formatting the Questionnaire A questionnaire should always be formatted with the following factors in mind:  Readability  Ease of completion  Accuracy 44

Formatting the Questionnaire I. Introduction Should have a cover letter or cover page to:  Express appreciation for the respondent’s time and effort; and  Provide an orientation by saying what the respondent should expect, and how much time the survey will take.  Guarantee confidentiality of the respondent’s identity and information in the orientation.

55

Formatting the Questionnaire II.

Instructions After the orientation, give instructions on how to complete the questionnaire:  Give clear directions on how to complete the questionnaire  Stress the importance of answering every question  Give clear directions on how to return the questionnaire

(Source: adapted from “Chapter 13 – Conducting Research and Using Data”, Business Communication, O’Hair, O’Rourke, O’Hair, South-Western College Publishing, Thomson Learning.) 66

Example: Introduction to a Questionnaire (I) Exhibition Industry in Hong Kong Please take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete this questionnaire. Your responses will provide important information that will help us to propose suggestions to improve the exhibition industry in Hong Kong.

Confidential What this survey is for? This survey provides you with an opportunity to share your thoughts on what changes the Hong Kong exhibition industry needs to keep its competitiveness and to benefit Hong Kong economically. You do not have to complete this survey if you do not wish to do so. However, everyone’s views are important and the more participation we receive, the better the results will be. Please understand that this questionnaire is completely confidential.

77

Example: Instructions to a Questionnaire 1.  Do not write your name on the questionnaire. 2. Answer all the questions provided as your response to every question is important to the results generated. 2. Return the questionnaire to our staff in person once you have completed it. Your questionnaire will only be viewed by the team analyzing your responses to the questions. Your questionnaire will be placed with many others and there will be no way to identify individual respondents. The results of all the questionnaires will be added together and kept by an independent institution. Instructions...

88

Setting Questionnaire Survey Before writing any questions, make sure that you will get the information you need .

Think through: How each research question relates to your objective How you will analyze each question in relation to your objective

99

Principles for Writing Questions

The scale / response categories should be:  Relative to respondent’s experience  Set for maximum variability  Balanced  Placed vertically Points to note:  Use item-in-a-series response categories carefully  Be careful about responses like ‘neutral’, 10 10 ‘no opinion’

Principles for Writing Questions

Each questions should ask for only one piece of information.

Avoid asking:

 Two questions at once How often do you read the newspaper and surf the internet?

 Questions that contain assumptions Assuming that prices continue to 11 11 rise, will you change your buying

Principles for Writing Questions

Questions should get respondents to express their own feelings, perceptions, behaviors, and experiences, both past & present.

Avoid asking:

 Hypothetical questions If you were Donald Tsang, what would you do to help the elderly?  Leading questions Do you like this modern campus? 12 12

Principles for Writing Questions

Wordings should be straightforward and clearly understood by every respondent.

Avoid using:

 Ambiguous words and time periods How often do you go to the CPCE library? 1. Very Often 2. Often 3. Sometimes 13 13 4. Rarely

Principles for Writing Questions

Wordings should be straightforward and clearly understood by every respondent.

Avoid using:

 Words that can mean different things to different respondents Is this the best CD player you have ever used?

 Terms with definitions that can vary (or provide a clear definition) Are you concerned about news

14 14

Principles for Writing Questions

Wordings should be straightforward and clearly understood by every respondent.

Avoid using:

 Complex scenarios involving too many factors

Do you believe that the measures proposed by the 2008 Budget report will alleviate the commodity problem? The measures are property and salary tax rebate, a one-off $1,800 electricity 15 15 subsidy, one-month public housing

Principles for Writing Questions Do…  Be straightforward  Be brief  Be clear  Be specific  Be neutral

Don’t…  Be vague  Be too personal  Use biased language  Use abbreviations or jargon  Be redundant 16

Sequencing Questions  Make the order of questions logical to respondents  Start with some easy yet relevant questions  Go from the most salient questions to the least salient ones  Do not put demographic questions at the start  Place potentially objectionable questions near the end

17

Reference The materials in this PowerPoint are adapted from: http://www.ssri.psu.edu/survey

http://www.statcan.ca/english/edu/power/ch2/q

http://www.cc.gatech.edu/classes/cs6751_97_w

18