Questionnaires
Steps followed during preparation of a Questionnaire
The researcher has to take into consideration some points when preparing his questionnaire. The structure his questions should be inclined towards a specific objective, which has to be supported by the sequence of the questions (Bhaskaran, 2010). The specific objectives will determine the kind and depth of information sought from the respondents. It is important to note that clarity of questions is a necessary attribute of the questionnaire, since the respondents will rely solely on the questionnaire. The researcher should include the questions seeking general information in the initial sections, such as gender, geographical location and age. This will give the respondent enough time to generate a rapport owing to the fact that he or she will feel involved in the process. Similarly, by graduating from simple to involving questions, it prepares the respondents mind and thought-process.
Structure and Design of a Questionnaire
The structure and design of a questionnaire calibrates the success of the data-collection exercise. A well-prepared medium is bound to source the required information with respect to the objectives of the study. The questionnaire should contain information outlaid in such a way to ease the process of responding. By dividing the questionnaire into appropriate sections, the researcher will be able to motivate the respondents to provide the information in an appropriate way. According to HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22LiyingCheng22as_brr3clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad10 Cheng (2005), it is imperative to outline the theme of each section to enable the respondents appreciate the necessity of each piece of information requested. It is also necessary to have a validation medium to confirm the reliability of the information therein. For example, the researcher can acquire attendance records for the school to ascertain the volume of student who are expected to participate in the study. Appendix 1 shows some of the structure and design requirements for a questionnaire.
Some verbs have a strong negative or positive connotation and are capable of derailing the respondents view of the research activity. The researcher has to refrain from words that are prejudicial about the subject being researched. Since it is not possible to predict the situation of the specific respondents, a balanced tone enables the researcher to position himself as non-partisan and neutral regarding the issues at hand.
Advantages of Using Questionnaires for the Study
Questionnaires are a cost-effective way of collecting information from the targeted population. Compared to other media, questionnaires will enable the researcher to reach a large number of students within a short period ( HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22ValsaKoshy22clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad9 Koshy, 2005). The geographical dispersion of students within the campus can be catered for by using questionnaires to conduct the research. The process of preparing a questionnaire is marked with inclusion of questions that are easy to understand and respond to ( HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22WilliamFoddy22clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad10 Foddy, 1994). This emanates from the reason that the questions contained therein are standard and are not subject to interpretation by an intermediary.
The flexible nature of questionnaires makes them a favorable method of conducting research. As asserted by HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22ChrisGratton22clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad10 Gratton HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22IanJones22clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad10 Jones (2004), the respondents are not pressured to respond to the questions on receiving the script, but can shelve it and dedicate ample time later to fill out the answers. HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22PamelaMunn22clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad6 Munn HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22EricDrever22clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad6 Drever (1999) outlined that the standard nature of questionnaires makes the data collected easy to analyze. HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22CaroleKayrooz22as_brr3clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad9 Kayrooz HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22ChrisTrevitt22as_brr3clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad9 Trevitt (2006) were of the view that data entry and tabulation can actually be done through use of computer application packages. Thus, the responses of the students will be restricted to the available choices in the questionnaire.
Questionnaires enable the respondents to remain discrete regarding the inclination of their responses and regarding participation. First, respondents are not required to identify themselves by name or designation. According to HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22ValsaKoshy22clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad9 Koshy (2005), the presence of the researcher interested in certain sensitive issues, for example player violence, the use of drugs or cheating in sports may inhibit the respondent p 89. This comes in handy when the survey relates to sensitive issues with far-reaching implications ( HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22NormanM.Bradburn22clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad8 Bradburn et al, 2004).
Pilot Study
As posited by HYPERLINK httpbooks.google.co.kebooksqinauthor22StanleyPresser22clientfirefox-asourcegbs_metadata_rcad10 Presser (2004), it is necessary to do a test-study to review the appropriateness and efficiency of the questionnaire for the intended research. Maxwell (2005) explicates that a pilot study tests your ideas or methods and explore their implications, or to inductively develop a grounded theory (p 57). As a result, the researcher should choose a small sample that will enable him test the qualities of the questionnaire. Incase no inefficiencies are realized, the data from the pilot study is still viable for use in the study. As a result, the sample chosen for the pilot study should comprise individuals from the study group. Success of the pilot study mirrors on that of the actual research exercise. Consequently, it is imperative that the researcher put his tools to test and gauge their appropriateness (Altman et al, 2006). If the first pilot study reveals weaknesses in the process, a second pilot study is necessary.
Rationale for using closed-ended questions
By using closed-ended multiple questions, the researcher is able to give direction relating to the kind of responses to be given. Using such type of questions and responses will ease the tabulation of data. All the researcher will do is to add up the corresponding choice number and translate the sum or percentage into a meaningful calibration of the objectives as articulated by the objectives. For example, if the respondents had chosen options 3, 4, 5, 7 and 2 for the five questions provided, and each question had seven choices, the respondent will be classified under the 60 category. Such a score will be designated a specific meaning according to the objectives of the study, thus making the process of analysis easier. Similarly, closed-ended questions will limit the responses to those provided by the researcher. However, if the respondents views are not expressed by any of the options, then the outcome will be limited by the choice of media.
Conclusion
The researcher invests in the proposed research with an aim of acquiring reliable information to which is sufficient for a reliable conclusion. As a result, it is imperative that he or she accords ample intensity to the process of data acquisition. Without reliable data, the reliability of the postulations from the research is minimized. The nature of research makes it unviable for a repeat performance, thus the researcher has only one chance to achieve his objectives. Consequently, he is mandated to strategize on how to best utilize the opportunity to come up with meaningful propositions.
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