How to Design a Questionnaire?

HOW TO DESIGN QUESTIONNAIRE?

BY PROF.M.S.RAO, ACADEMIC GUIDE, ICFAI UNIVERSITY, INDIA

When my Research Guide Dr.D.M.Khandare asked me to prepare a questionnaire for my PhD work I got bit nervous and confused for some time. I read number of questionnaires in my life but designing the same related to my PhD topic created jitters in my mind. I further requested him to teach me the methodology in designing the questionnaire. He was kind enough to guide me and he also advised me to refer number of sample questionnaires so as to form a firm format. I sincerely obeyed like a disciplined soldier and referred various formats from books and from various websites.

Questionnaire is the heart of any research topic. It helps in fulfilling the objectives of the concerned study or topic. If it is designed in haste entire research activity goes awry. As long as the questionnaire is framed properly, the desired goals and objectives can be achieved successfully. There are several tools and techniques involved in designing the questionnaire. They are briefly explained below:

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES IN DESIGNING:

• At the beginning address the participants or state the reasons for conducting study.
• Assess the maturity level of the respondents and format it accordingly.
• The language must be simple and straight and free from jargon.
• It should be in tune with the ideals and ideas of the study.
• Personalize the questionnaire.
• Your questionnaire should not only be easier and it should appear to be easier.
• Imaginative and innovative thinking is essential. It should be a running draft in active voice.
• There should be close ended questions to start with. Ice breaking questions will smoothly navigate the respondent to the topic.
• The questions should not be threatening and too much personal in nature.
• Leave adequate space for offering comments.
• There should be smooth transition from question to question and logical connectivity.
• Create curiosity and generate enthusiasm for the respondent.
• It should stand out from the pack of cards.
• Be creative and novel in design. And make it convenient in designing the questionnaire. Highlight keywords in the questionnaire in bold, italics or underline so that the respondent can catch it faster and save his time.
• Contents of the questionnaire are more important than the length. It becomes stressful for the respondents to answer lengthy questions.
• Offer options like ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ or ‘True’ or ’False’ or ‘Right’ or ‘Wrong’ or ‘Like’ or ‘Dislike’ and so on.
• Offering multiple choices for each question will encourage the respondent.
• Glide the respondent gradually into open ended questions to elicit the hidden data of communication. Encourage the respondents to open up in depth to get effective results.
• Design the questions creatively and constructively so that maximum information can be obtained. The questions can be questioned by posing from both positive and negative side of the topic so that at the end of the session. You can cross check whether the responses are consistent or if there is any contradiction. In case if contradiction is noticed then the responses can not be taken as correct. Such methodology will make the research work free from errors and foolproof.
• Create a wonderful title to motivate for active participation.
• Do not design too many questions as it decreases the interest levels.
• Enclose a self addressed and stamped envelope if the questionnaire is to be mailed.
• Highlight 5 dimensional approach 5W’s – why, what, where, when and who.
• Create questions by ranking in the scale of 1 to 5 from either the least to the most required or vice versa.
• Create a conservational tone.
• Use ‘you’ not third person. By this, you can personalize the questionnaire.
• Use emotions like we all want to feel greater, better, bigger etc. All these things will connect your questionnaire to the respondents and then slowly get the responses for the study.
• Remove repetitions.
• The flow of the questionnaire should be smooth and natural.
• Read, reread and change the design and ultimately you will have the best questionnaire. Lot of spade work, rework and redrafting is essential.
• At the end, ask for any suggestions or improvements related to the topic.
• Thank the respondents at the end of the questionnaire.

ROLE OF RESEARCHER:

Make the respondent comfortable and convince him to attempt. Be personally with them to clarify if any doubts or queries. Encourage them to fill the questionnaire instantly so as to get spontaneous responses. Tell respondents that there is fun in responding the questionnaire.

POST QUESTIONNAIRE RESPONSE:

Thank all respondents for their valuable contribution to your research work. Provide them non financial incentives like gifting either key rings, or stationery items of daily utility, chocolates etc., it will not only motivate them but also create everlasting memorable impact in their minds.

MESSAGE:

Designing questionnaire initially looks tiresome for fresher and when once tuned to designing then you will find it interesting and entertaining. It is a great mental and creative activity and it teaches many lessons in life.

T H E E N D