Psychology

A questionnaire is a set of questions written in a form that is drawn up for answering by a number of people independently.

 Questionnaires are widely used for data gathering with its advantages on financial, uniformity, standardization and the large number of respondents it can reach. The cost of having several interviewers is reduced where one or two persons can perform the duty by distribution. The cut on expenses enables a researcher to set a higher target of number of respondents. Through printing and recopying, there is a uniformity of questions in which subjects of the target group will be answered, also allowing a uniformity of answers the researcher could derive. Under the controlled method of answering elicited by questionnaires, standardization is also possible. Its advantages allow it to be an easy data gathering tool.

The data can be classified into either subjective or objective. To gather either one or both these two kinds of data, a researcher may use Qualitative or Quantitative method. Qualitative research methods can collect a subjective data that usually deals with the subjects feelings, emotions, attitude and experiences. It can also collect other abstracts such as words, images, colors and anything that can not really be measured. This data is usually gathered through one-on-one and in depth interviews with the subject. The quantitative method, on the other hand, collects measurable information like numbers, statistics and even logic and can be usually collected through a questionnaire.
 
Traditionally, researchers only use one method. But to optimize data gathering, both methods can be combined to obtain higher statistical results on a tackled research topic.
 
According to Davies (2000), the combination of qualitative and quantitative research method is
Just like the most powerful advertising that engages both the left and right side of the brain, so the most powerful research must also do the same. Running quantitative research alongside qualitative research offers a synergy whereby objective data can provide a structure to analysis of subjective qualitative data.

A questionnaire is the perfect canvas for the integration of two separate methods as the questions in it are controlled by the researcher who is also its author. The researcher can state both quantitative and qualitative measuring questions. To better explain the advantage when these two methods are integrated is through the comparison of their strengths and weakness.

Quantitative methods strength is in its reliability and objectivity whilst its weakness is when the matter of the research is difficult to measure. A qualitative methods strength is its capacity to measure what is deeper than quantity that could actually explain a phenomenon or a subjects reason and experience in as to why it is in relation to the research topic. Its weakness is however the strength of the quantitative method. In an optimized research method, the marriage of both methods strengths obliterates one methods weakness.

Armed with a new technique, a researcher can now choose from a more broadened variety of issues that heshe can approach. This includes topics that may be personal and sensitive. Take for an instance, alcoholism. What traditionally is a symbol of merry making and celebration has seated itself as a social problem in the modern society inflicting various age groups including adolescents that may strike negativities in a conservative community.
 
On my research concerning students who drink and do not drink alcoholic beverages, using an integrated questionnaire is an excellent way of conducting the study. Since it is an issue that is susceptible to embarrassment and criticism, the anonymity of a questionnaire facilitates a comfortable setting for the individuals concerned. The combination of quantitative and qualitative methods allows general and detailed answers from the students. This includes a quantifying data of how many are and are not consuming liquor through Yes or No questions. Also, the consumption of one student or as a collective can measured by asking the number of bottles or cans they consume in a variable of day, week or month. Other quantifiable questions can be answered with numerical choices.

A subjective answer, though, is difficult to procure when dealing with a sensitive topic. However, it is always important to let the subjects feel they can trust the confidentiality of the questionnaire and the researcher throughout all the process. Getting this message across ensures the reliability and honesty of responses.
 
There are several ways of questioning that draw personal and subjective answers without implicating trust. For example, a leading question could extract a certain kind of answer from the subject. When using this, one can ask something personal about the individual but will not seem invading at the same time. Answers in worded multiple choice can derive personal views, experiences and feelings from a subject. Phrasing is another way where the author of the questionnaire may reorganize the structure of the question using adjectives, nouns and verbs that may either have a positive or negative meaning, depending on the subjects interpretation on how heshe feels toward the question.

There are many types of data gathering tools that could be used in this study. An example is an interview. It is a qualitative method that could provide more insight to the reason of a subjects alcoholic consumption but its disadvantage is that it produces limited data as it is confined to time and resource persons. Rapport, confidence and trust of a student are also tough to gain as it will depend on the researchers skills and the students interest. Another method is experimentation. The research topics phenomenon is performed and tested on site enabling the collection of raw data as it can be observed and gathered immediately. The downside of this method is that it will cost a lot to set up a controlled and suitable environment and acquire necessary equipment and tools. There will also be a need to undergo series of consents and certifications before this method can be conducted.

Using questionnaires in this study is reliable and economical. It is very easy to administer and the low cost of distribution facilitates more recipients, resulting to a higher probability of getting honest responses. There is also a psychological effect on the subjects when the number of participants is large. They feel unspecified amidst the big group who are under the same situation. The lack of indifference earns their confidence and interest that allows them to actually share their experiences in an environment of understanding, making questionnaires a very dependable tool in this research.