QUESTIONNAIRE
The word questionnaire refers to a device for securing answers to questions, by using a form
which the respondent fills in himself. A questionnaire is a research tool used to gather data and
information from individuals or groups of people. It consists of a series of structured questions
designed to elicit specific responses from respondents. Questionnaires can be administered in
various formats, including paper-based forms, online surveys, or interviews. Thus,
questionnaire provides the most speedy and simple technique of gathering data about groups
of individuals scattered in a wide and extended field. In this method, a questionnaire form is
sent usually by post to the persons concerned, with a request to answer the questions and return
the questionnaire.
Definition of Questionnaire
1. According to Goode and Hatt, “It is a device for securing answers to questions by using a
form which the respondent fills in himself.”
2. According to G. Lundburg, “Fundamentally, the questionnaire is a set of stimuli to which
illiterate people are exposed in order to observe their verbal behaviour under social stimuli.”
TYPES OF QUESTIONNAIRES
Questionnaire provides the most speedy and simple technique of gathering data about groups
of individuals scattered in a wide and extended field. Questionnaires exhibit a broad range of
classifications, some of them are as follows:
1. Structured Questionnaires: According to P.V. Young, structured questionnaires are those
which pose definite, concrete and pre-ordained questions, i.e., they are prepared in advance
and not constructed on the spot during the questioning period. This questionnaire uses highly
standardized techniques and sets of pre-determined questions.
[Link] questionnaires are frequently referred to as ‘interview guides’, it aims at
precision and contain definite subject matter areas, the coverage of which is required during
the interview. The researcher also has a greater freedom to ask the respondents any
supplementary questions.
Characteristics of Unstructured Questionnaires
• They provide greater flexibility in questioning respondents.
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• They are of a non-directive type, involving relatively less standardization of techniques
and procedures.
The interviewer possesses only a blueprint of the enquiries and he is largely free to arrange the
form or statements of the questions. Here, the respondents have the freedom to express any
event that seems significant to them, to give their own definition of an event or a situation and
to narrate any particular incident of their life.
Closed Form vs. Open Form
The questions that call for short check responses are known as restricted or closed form type:
They provide for marking a yes or no, a short response, or checking an item out of a list of
given responses. It restricts the choice of response for the respondent. The respondent
simply selects a response out of supplied responses and has not to frame his response in his
own way.
It is easy to fill out, takes less time, keeps the respondent on the subject, is relatively more
objective, more acceptable and convenient to the respondent, and is fairly easy to tabulate and
analyze.
Open-end or unrestricted type questionnaire calls for a free response in the respondent's own
words. The respondent frames and supplies his own reasons. No clues are provided. It
probably provides for greater depth of response. The subject reveals his mind, gives his frame
of reference and possibly the reasons for his responses.
This type of item is sometimes difficult to interpret, tabulate and summaries in the research
report. When the respondent is allowed freedom of response his expression may take any
unique direction which may not find any uniformity with other responses. This type of item is
sometimes difficult to interpret, tabulate and summaries in the research report. When the
respondent is allowed freedom of response his expression may take any unique direction which
may not find any uniformity with other responses.
The Mixed Questionnaire
A mixed questionnaire combines both closed-ended and open-ended questions. This method is
particularly useful in social research, as it allows researchers to gather both quantitative data
(through closed questions) and qualitative insights (through open questions). Each type has its
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specific merits and limitations and the research worker has to decide which type is more likely
to supply the information he wants.
Fact and Opinion Questionnaires
(i) Questionnaire of fact, which requires certain information of facts from the respondent
without any reference to his opinion or attitude about them.
(ii) Questionnaire of opinion and attitude in which the informant's opinion, attitude or
preference regarding some phenomena is sought
Pictorial Questionnaire
In the pictorial questionnaire, pictures are used to promote interest in answering questions. It
is used extensively in studies of social attitudes and prejudices in children or illiterate persons.
In a pictorial questionnaire, the selected alternative answers in the form of pictures are given
and the respondent is required to tick the picture concerned. This questionnaire may be very
useful for collecting data in developing country like India, specially from the rural mas who
are mostly illiterate and less knowledgeable. The serious limitation of this questionnaire is that
it is lengthy in form. Also, it is highly expensive.
Mailed questionnaire
Where respondents are not easily accessible for personal interview mail questionnaire is the
most helpful tool in eliciting data. A mail questionnaire is a set of questions sent through the
post to selected respondents, who are expected to answer them and return the completed form
to the investigator. Apart from the fact that it is delivered to the respondent’s doorstep, it
functions like any other type of questionnaire.
Generally, the mail questionnaire technique is used when the respondents are scattered over a
wide geographical area and the data to be collected are categorical in nature. One has to take
note of the below listed before he decides to opt for mail questionnaire.
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1. The type of information required
2. The type of respondent reached
3. Accessibility of the respondents
4. The precision of the hypothesis.
The type of information required decides whether or not use this technique. Exhaustive data
cannot be procured through the use mailed questionnaire. Common experience has shown that
not all persons to whom the questionnaires are sent respond equally well. Its use is confined to
literate population.
Thus, the type of respondent reached determines whether this could be a useful technique.
When the respondents are scattered over a wide geographical the mailed questionnaires will be
very effective as a tool of data collection. Moreover, questionnaires can be mailed, only when
researcher has got the right addresses of his respondents
Conclusion
In the questionnaire technique, great reliance is placed on the respondent's verbal report for
data on the stimuli or experiences to which he is exposed and for knowledge of respondent’s
behaviour. The questionnaire is effective only when the respondent is able or willing to express
his reactions clearly.
A good questionnaire can elicit cooperation of the respondent to get frank answers on almost
any subject, even such personal matters as sex and income. Thus, it is clear that the respondent
can judge the study only by what he can see. The questionnaire, by its very nature, is an
impersonal technique and it is several pieces of paper, appeals/persuades the respondent that
he/she ought to participate.
A good questionnaire can elicit cooperation of the respondent to get frank answers on almost
any subject, even such personal matters as sex and income. Thus, it is clear that the respondent
can judge the study only by what he can see. The questionnaire, by its very nature, is an
impersonal technique and it is several pieces of paper, appeals/persuades the respondent that
he ought to participate.
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Factors Affecting Response
Different factors are responsible for varying degrees of response to the questionnaire as stated
below:
[Link] of the Group: The response normally differs according to the characteristics
of the respondent group. Generally educated people are more responsive as compared to
illiterate people.
[Link] of Sponsoring Body: If the institution has a good reputation, the percentage of
response is very high. Researches have shown that the sponsor who is known to the respondent
gets the best results.
[Link] of Questionnaire: If the get-up of the questionnaire is attractive, the respondents feel
like responding quickly. Another important factor behind the response is that if the respondents
are strongly in favour or against the concerned problem, a higher response is expected.
4. Size of Questionnaire; If the questions are small in number, the percentage of response is
high.
ADVANTAGES/MERITS OF QUESTIONNAIRE
The questionnaire is regarded as the most useful research tool. As an instrument of science, it
has great potential when it is properly used. If it is eliminated, progress in many research areas
would be greatly handicapped. The following are the chief advantages –
1. Economical: It is an economical way of accumulating information. It is economical for both
the sender and the respondent in time, effort and cost. The cost of conducting the study with
the help of questionnaire method is very low. In questionnaire, the researcher has to spend for
paper printing and postage only. There is no need to visit each and every respondent personally.
So, it does not require high cost to conduct the research.
2. Accessibility to widespread respondents: When the respondents are separated
geographically, they can be reached by correspondence which saves travel cost.
3. Rapidity: Replies may be received very quickly in questionnaire method. In this case there
is no need to visit the respondent personally or continue the study over a long period.
4. Suitable in special type of response: The information about certain personal, secret matters
can be best obtained through questionnaire method. For example, information about a marital
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relationship, secret desires etc., can be easily obtained by keeping the names of the respondents
anonymous.
5. Repetitive Information: Compared to other methods like schedule, interview or
observation, questionnaire method is regarded as more useful and cheaper, where the repetitive
information has to be collected at regular interval.
6. An easier method: Questionnaire is comparatively an easier method to plan, construct and
administer. It does not require much technical skill or knowledge.
7. It puts lesson the respondents: It puts less pressure on the respondents for immediate
response. He can answer it at his own leisure, whereas interview or observation demands
specific fixation on time and situation.
8. Uniformity: It helps in focusing the respondent’s attention on all the significant items. As it
is administered, in a written form, its standardized instructions for recording responses ensure
some uniformity. Questionnaire does not permit much variation.
9. Useful preliminary tool: Questionnaire may be used as a preliminary tool for conducting a
depth study later on by any other method.
10. Greater validity: Questionnaire has some unique merits as regards validity of information.
In methods like interview and observation, the reliability of responses depends on the way the
investigator has recorded them. Here they may present biased or prejudiced information of their
own. But in questionnaire method, the responses given by the subjects are available in their
own language and version. Therefore, it cannot be wrongly interpreted by the researcher.
11. Greater Anonymity: Questionnaire ensures anonymity to its respondents. The respondents
have a greater confidence that they will not be identified by anybody for giving a particular
view or opinion. They feel more comfortable and freer to express their view in this method.
12. Most Flexible Tool for Data Collection: Questionnaire is no doubt the most flexible tool
for collecting both quantitative and qualitative information.
DISADVANTAGES/DEMERITS OF QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Illiterate and less Educated: One of the major limitations of the questionnaire is that it can
be administered only on subjects with a considerable amount of education. Complex
questionnaires requiring elaborate written replies can be used indeed on a very small percentage
of population.
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2. Proportions of returns is usually low: In a mailed questionnaire, the proportion of returns
is usually low; it may sometimes be as low as 10%
3. Misinterpretation/unintelligible reply: In a questionnaire, if the respondent misinterprets
a question or writes his reply unintelligibly, there is very little that can be done to correct this.
In this approach there is no facility for repeating questions, explaining them or seeking
clarification of a particular response.
[Link] in getting addresses: The mailing address may not be correct, which may omit
some eligible respondents. Thus, the sample selected many times is described as biased.
5. Selective or Incomplete Responses: There may be bias in the response selectivity because
the respondent having no interest in the topic may not give response to all questions. Since the
researcher is not present to explain the meaning of certain concepts, the respondent may leave
the question blank. Many questions remain unanswered. The partial response affects the
analysis.
6. No Opportunity for Additional Information: Questionnaires do not provide an
opportunity to collect additional information while they are being completed.
7. Uncertainty of Actual Respondent: Researchers are not sure whether the person to whom
the questionnaire was mailed has answered the questions himself or somebody else has filled
out the questionnaire.
8. Limited Scope Due to Size: Since the size of the questionnaire has to be kept small, full
information cannot be secured from the respondents.
[Link] of Depth and Probing: There is lack of depth or probing for a more specific answer
10. Influence of Others: The respondent can consult other persons before filling in the
questionnaire. The responses, therefore, cannot be viewed as his opinions.
10. Unverified: Background Information The reliability of respondent’s background
information cannot be verified. A middle-class person can identify himself as rich person, or a
person of intermediate caste can describe himself as upper-caste person.