COURSE TITLE:

Research and Biostatistics in

Nursing

Presented by:
Aditi Basnet
Akriti chuke
 Introduction
• A questionnaire is a research instrument
consisting of a series of questions for the
purpose of gathering information from
respondents.
• It can be used to measure knowledge,
levels, attitudes, belief, ideas, opinions,
feelings and perception.
 CRITERIA OF QUESTIONS
• Language and reading level
• Wording of question
• Length of questionnaire
• Length of individual questions
• Criteria of inclusion of question
• Avoid ambiguous (vague) questions
• Avoid double- barreled questions.
• Avoid double bind questions
• Others.
 Language and reading level
• The questionnaire should be written
in the subject preferred language.
• Question should be made as simple ,
clear . And specific as possible.
• The language must be clear.
 Wording of questions
• State questions in a positive rather
than a negative manner.
• Negative word such as “never” can
be ignored.
• Multiple choice question are
frequently written.
 Length of questionnaire
• It is recommended that
questionnaire take no more than 20
to 25 minutes to complete.
• Beyond the time, respondents may
becomes tired and provide
inaccurate responses.
 Length of individual questions
• Question should be kept as short as
possible.
• A desirable length of question is 20 words
or less.
• Keep in mind that the purpose of the
questions is to seek data and not to test
the respondents reading ability.
 Criteria of inclusion of question
• Each question have a single focus and
seek only one piece of information.
• Before including a question on a
questionnaire, the researcher should ask
“how will the data obtained from the
question be analyzed ?”
 Avoid ambiguous (vague) questions

• Ambiguous questions contains a words

that have more than one meaning or can
be interpreted differently by various
people.
• Examples of such words are:- many,
usually, few, often, large, several and
generally.
• Avoid all words that can have multiple
interpretations.
Avoid double- barreled questions.
• A double barreled question is asking
two questions in one.
• Examples : Do you plan to pursue a
master degree in public heath and
seek an administrative position upon
graduation?
 Continue..

• When a question contain an “and” it

is quite likely that two questions are
being asked rather than one.
• These types of questions are
particularly frustrating for
respondents.
 Avoid double bind questions
• Double bind question put clients in a
negative light regardless of their answer.
• Examples: have you stopped beating your
wife?
• The answer of this question will put the
client in an unfavorable light regardless
of the answer.
 Others
• Question should be contained a neutral
wordings. The researcher seeks accurate
responses from the subjects. Consider the
following question:
- Do you believe that smoking is the
disgusting habits ?
- What is your opinion about cigarette
smoking?
- Would you say that you are against
cigarettes smoking?
 Continue..
• Avoid double negative
questions.
 References
• Ramtel T 2012, A text book on
epidemiology: Medhavi Publication,
kathmandu, Nepal.
• https://www.slideshare.net/iansofia.