Lec 8: Formulation of questionnaire

Lecturer: Mr. Abdirisak Suleiman Ibrahim

DEFINING A QUESTIONNAIRE

A questionnaire is a set of questions for gathering

information from individuals. You can administer
questionnaires by mail, telephone, using face-to-face
interviews, as handouts, or electronically (i.e., by e- mail
or through Web-based questionnaires).

A questionnaire is a series of questions asked to

individuals to obtain statistically useful information
about a given topic. When properly constructed and
responsibly administered, questionnaires become a vital
instrument by which statements can be made about
specific groups or people or entire populations.
 Ask for unprompted
opinions (free to
answer)
Open format

Solicit objective data

Multiple Choice
Questions
TYPES OF
Closed format
QUESTIONS
Logical ‘yes’ or ‘no’
type

Structured

Unstructured
 DISADVANTAG
ADVANTAGE
E
Open format

Read and think

individually

Free to answer Influential on

the reader

A chance for
vivid expression Boring to the
interviewee
 DISADVANTAG
ADVANTAGE
E
Closed format

Not much
Easy to answer
involvement

Quick and not Hardly any

boring thinking

Easy to No place for

compute results expression
TYPES OF QUESTIONNAIRE AND QUESTIONS

Questionnaires can be paper-based, or electronic

STRUCTURED QUESTIONNAIRES (CLOSED ENDED
QUESTIONS) are based predominantly on closed questions
which produce data that can be analyzed quantitatively for
patterns and trends. The agenda is entirely predetermined by
the evaluator and provides little flexibility for respondents to
qualify their answers.
A closed question can be answered with either 'yes' or 'no'.
Yes/No Questions
Do you have a library membership card?
Yes ( )
No ( )
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

What purpose do you visit the library? (Multiple choices)

( ) To read news papers
( ) To refer books
( ) To borrow and return books
( ) To brows Internet
UNSTRUCTURED OPEN ENDED QUESTIONNAIRE

Non-structured questions, or open-ended questions, are

questions where there is no list of answer choices from
which to choose. Respondents are simply asked to write
their response to a question.

Here is an example:
An open question is likely to receive a long answer.
Example of a Non-structured Question

1. What are the facilities and services do you expect from

your library?
______________________________________________
2.What are the benefits for automating a library
housekeeping functions?
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
It is best to use non-structured questions when you are
exploring new ideas and you don't really know what to
expect from the respondents.
SEMI-STRUCTURED QUESTIONNAIRES (PARTIALLY
STRUCTURED QUESTION)

take a mixed approach. In some situations, you may

have a partial list of answer choices, but you may still
have some doubt or uncertainty about other possible
responses. You can create a partially structured question
such as the following:
Example of a Partially Structured Question
What purpose do you use web based resources?
•For research work
•To write assignments
•To improve subject knowledge
•For the purpose of seminar presentation
Any other (Please specify): 1.________________
2. ________________
CONTINGENCY QUESTIONS

A question that is answered only if the respondent

gives a particular response to a previous question. This
avoids asking questions of people that do not apply to
them.
1. Do you have computer knowledge?
Yes ( )
No( )

2. If ‘yes’ how long have you been using?

•From last 6 months ( )
•From last 1 year ( )
•From last 2 years ( )
•From last 3-4 years ( )
The Questionnaire Process
I ●
Define the objectives of the survey

II ●
Determine the sampling group

III ●
Write the questionnaire (language and item-writing)

IV ●
Administer the questionnaire

V ●
Interpret the results
 Keep these in mind!

Ask only Avoid

Keep Do not ask
necessar sensitive
question questions
y and
s simple that turn
backgrou embarra
and off the
nd ssing participan
straightf
question question ts’ spirits
orward
s s
Steps in Designing A Questionnaire

1. Content: Objectives and Variables are to

be considered.
2. Formulating questions: one or more
questions are to be formulated to collect
information for each variable.
3. Sequencing of questions: Sequence of
questions must be logical and consumer
friendly.
4. Formatting of questions: layout,
space, boxes, etc.
5. Translation: Local language be used.
6. Pre-testing
7. Finalization of questionnaire
Characteristics of Questionnaire

• Relevant to objectives of the study

• Collects correct Information
• Appropriate length consisting of reasonable number
of questions
• Questions are specific, short, simple and clear
• Questions are in logical order
• Respondents are comfortable to answer the
questions.
Questionnaire General Format

•Self-administered (by mail or

personal contact)
•In person (face-to-face)
•Telephone interviews
 SUMMARY
Good questionnaire design is a key to obtaining good survey
results. Questionnaires should be designed to
Appear as brief and small as possible. A questionnaire is
Relevant if no unnecessary for solving the business problems
is obtained . Accuracy means that the information is valid and
reliable . Question sequence is very important to the success
of the survey. The opening
Questions should be designed to interests respondents
And keep them involved.
 REFERENCES
1 ) RESEARCH METHODS FOR BUSINESS – UMA SEKARAN

2) BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS – WILLIAM G.ZIKMUND

questions ??????

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