Questionnaire

Construction

by

ENRIQUE B. MONTECALVO, Ph.D.

Associate Professor 5
 What is a Questionnaire?

A questionnaire is a written list of

questions, the answer to which is made by
respondents. The respondents read the
questions, interpret what is expected and
then write down the answers.
The questionnaire is utilized when factual
information is desired. When opinions
rather than facts are desired, an
OPINIONNAIRE or ATTITUDE SCALE is
used (Best and Kahn, 1998).

But these two purposes can be combined

into one form that is usually referred to, in
general, as a QUESTIONNAIRE.
FORMS OF A QUESTIONNAIRE
CLOSED-FORM (i.e. restricted or
structured type)

OPEN-FORM (i.e. unrestricted, or

unstructured type)

Combination of CLOSED and OPEN FORM

 The CLOSED-FORM QUESTIONNAIRE is used
whenever theres a call for a short, check-mark
responses such as YES or NO, write a short
response, or check an item from a list of
suggested responses.

For certain types of information, this form is

entirely satisfactory. It is easy to fill out, takes little
time, keeps the respondents as the subject, is
relatively objective, and is fairly easy to tabulate
and analyze.
Sample Items

Sample Love Life Questionnaire

 The OPEN-FORM QUESTIONNAIRE calls for a free
response in the respondents own words. This form
of questionnaire probably provides for a greater
depth of response. The respondents reveal their
frame of reference and possibly the reasons for
their responses.

The returns, however, are often meager because it

requires greater effort on the part of the
respondents. And sometimes it is difficult to
interpret, tabulate, and summarize in the research
report.
Sample Items

Sample Career Management Questionnaire

 For some questionnaires, the items are
made up of both open- and closed-form.

But regardless of what form is adopted, it

is the questionnaire builder who must
decide which type is more likely to supply
the information wanted.
 Advantages Disadvantages

Less expensive Limited application

Offers greater anonymity Low response rate

Self-selecting bias

Lack of opportunity to clarify issues

Spontaneous responses not allowed

Possibility to consult others

Responses can not be supplemented

with other information
Response to a question may be
influenced by the response to others
PITFALLS IN QUESTIONNAIRE
CONSTRUCTION
1. DOUBLE-BARRELED QUESTIONS
(A question within a question) ==> and, or
2. AMBIGUOUS QUESTIONS
(Contains more than one meaning)
3. LEVEL OF WORDING
(use simple non-technical terms)
4. ABSTRACT Vs. FACTUAL QUESTIONS
(such as age or sex is specific, but happiness or love
or justice are more abstract)
PITFALLS IN QUESTIONNAIRE
CONSTRUCTION
5. LEADING QUESTIONS
(use of introductory phrases such as, Dont you agree
that, Isnt it surprising that, Can you think of
any justification for)
6. SENSITIVE or THREATENING QUESTIONS
(Sensitive topics such as sex, or taboo topics such as
suicide)
7. RESPONSE CATEGORIES
(such as Dont Know or Not Applicable must be
provided)
 PITFALLS IN QUESTIONNAIRE
CONSTRUCTION
8. TIME FRAME
(time-related questions should specify the time frame
precisely)
9. TOO PERSONAL
10. TOO DIRECT
11. OTHER POINTERS IN ITEM WRITING:
==> Beware of double-negatives, underline
negative words for clarity
==> Underline words to give emphasis
==> Use point of reference when comparing
Sample Questionnaires

GTS

DIABETES QUESTIONNAIRE

ICT TRAINING NEEDS

 QUESTION PLACEMENT
THE OPENING QUESTIONS
first impressions, easy to answer,
descriptive questions

NEVER: begin with sensitive or

threatening questions
 QUESTION PLACEMENT
SENSITIVE QUESTIONS
should be asked once an easier warm-up
ones has already been asked

For example:
In this next section, wed like to ask you about
your personal relationships. Remember, we do
not want you to answer the questions if you
are uncomfortable doing so.
How to Develop . . .

Illustrative Example 1

Illustrative Example 2

Illustrative Example 3
 If you tell me, I will listen.
If you show me, I will hear.
But if you let me experience,
I will LEARN

Lao-Tzu