In every research , data is important and need to be gathered. Data can be gathered from different sources using different methods. There are two main sources of data collection for research purpose: primary sources and secondary sources. In field research, data is collected through primary sources.
Primary Sources of Data Collection
Primary data can be collected by applying any of the following methods:
1. Interview method
2. Questionnaire method
3. Observation method
4. Experimental method
When the research data collection involves asking someone or few persons about themselves, their options, experiences, preferences on a subject matter, interview method is adopted. But when the questioning involves larger group of people (either sample or whole population), administration of questionnaire is adopted.
Read also: Top Data Collection Software Tools (Apps, Web, Cloud)
What is Questionnaire?
A questionnaire is a set of written down questions designed for the purpose of gathering information on individuals opinions, experiences, preferences, intentions etc on a subject matter which is to be used for scientific research. The questionnaire contains questions and provides spaces for answers or options. The questionnaire is usually accompanied with covering (introductory) letter requesting the respondents to fill the form and return. Questionnaire can also be used as basis for interview, where the interviewer asks the respondents questions from questionnaire, and fills answers provided by the respondents.
Merits of Questionnaire
1. It is cheap and quick method of data collection
2. Accurate information could be gathered because the respondents have enough time to answer the questions and to consult documents where necessary
3. Respondents feel free to answer confidential questions
4. There is no interviewers' biasness
Demerits of Questionnaire
1. There is this problem of nonresponse due to people’s reluctance to fill and return the forms to the researcher, if the questionnaire is mailed to the respondents
2. There are no enumerators to explain difficult questions to the respondents
3. Wrong person may fill the form, and it could lead to getting misleading information
Principle Guidelines in Designing Questionnaire
The success of the use of questionnaire method for data collection in field research largely depend on the proper drafting of the questionnaire. Drafting questionnaire is a highly specialized job and requires a great deal of skills and experience. On a same topic, different researchers are likely to design questionnaires that vary in many ways especially in choice of questions, the sequence and the form of question — open-ended, closed ended or combination of both. You can contact us for your questionnaire design. If a questionnaire is to be used either as a postal questionnaire or as a basis for interviewing, the following points must be observed in its design:
1. Questions should be simple
2. Number of questions should be small
3. Questions should be capable of objective answer.
4. Questions should be logically arranged
5. Leading questions should not be asked
6. Questions should be unambiguous
7. Personal questions should be avoided
Steps in Designing a Good Questionnaire
We have known the principles (dos and don’ts) guiding design of good questionnaire. Now to design the questionnaire follow the following steps:
1. State the research aims and objective of your questionnaire
2. Define your targeted respondents
3. Choose your question type
4. Write your questions
5. Arrange your questions sequentially
6. Carry out a sample test
1. State the Research Aims and Objective of Your Questionnaire
Every research seeks to answer a question(s), solve a problem(s), these questions and problems seeking for answers and solutions form objectives of the research, and there determines the questions be included in the questionnaire. So want kind you information you want to gather using the questionnaire? Every questionnaire should be unique, although there can be similarities when the objectives of the researches are related.
2. Define Your Targeted Respondents
Everyone can’t be a respondent in research. You need to determine your sample size and their characteristics — the demography you intend to cover. Selecting the right demography (groups) has a great impact on the reliability of the results from your study.
If your study involves a single group, your questionnaire design could be longitudinal, but if you intend to administer same questionnaire to more than one group, your questionnaire design can be cross-sectional design.
Longitudinal study is mostly applied in clinical psychological study.
Cross-sectional study also referred to as cross-sectional analysis, prevalence study or transverse study is applied in medical, biological, science, social science researches
3. Choose Your Question Type
There are different ways of structuring questions. It could be open-ended questions (where the informants are allowed to fill the answers), closed-questions (where respondents are provided options of multiple choice of answers to choose from, which are predetermined by the researcher), combination of open-ended and closed-questions.
The Open-ended questions format is can be adopted when you want to get understanding of the topics related to your research question. But quantitative research requires questionnaire with closed-questions, so that you can be able to aggregate and quantify opinions of the respondents.
4. Draft Your Questions
Having stated your research questions of your questionnaire, defined your audience, and question type, it’s time to write your questions in a manner the will be understood by your audience without ambiguities. Misunderstanding as a result of questions structures can lead to respondents selecting wrong answers. Try as much as possible to make the questions simple, avoiding jargons and technical languages.
5. Arrange Your Questions in Sequence
After drafting the questions separately, you have to arrange them orderly. Determine which question should precede the other. Follow-up questions should be placed correctly. If there be skip-rules (where respondents need to skip questions that are not applicable to them), ensure that they are properly implemented. Do not arrange questions in way that makes some them become leading questions (questions that give answers to subsequent questions).
6. Carry Out a Sample Test
Before issuing the questionnaire to get information for your research, you need to run a pilot by giving the questionnaire to few of the representatives of the population or sample you intend to cover in your survey. This will help you to evaluate and optimize your questionnaire.
Sample test will help you identify problems in the questionnaire as regard to readability, understanding of the audience. Discuss the questionnaire with them to understand their experiences, and then edit your questionnaire, if need be.