The questionnaire is often the only contact between the researcher and individuals in the sample. The research study's success will be based, in a large part, to the content, structure and format of the questionnaire. A well developed questionnaire will increase the return rate, which will influence the error rate of the study.
Three Factors to Consider in Asking Questions
the data collection method used (interviewers or self-response)
the different types of questions asked; and
the precise wording of individual questions.
Key Areas for Attitude and Opinion Surveys
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existing level of interest and participation |
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future needs |
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personal opinions |
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behavioral information |
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goal statements |
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demographics |
Questionnaire Development
Focus groups (recreation agency staff; special interests groups; and general public) can assist the researcher in developing the questionnaire specific to the community or target market.
Five primary uses of focus groups in questionnaire development (Goldman and McDonald, 1987)
identification of terms and phrases that community members use in talking about services,
development of answer categories that reflect real-world perceptions,
development of meaningful response categories,
selection of a set of rating dimensions, and
generation of a battery of descriptive statements that become the basis of segmentation analysis.
Focus groups assist in designing a questionnaire that best fits the community, while retaining an overall generic structure.
Questionnaire Wording
Types of Questions
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Open-ended, no predefined answers provided. |
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Closed-ended, usually a response to a scale (Likert type) |
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Multiple Choice, a list of possible responses is provided. |
Open-ended Questions
What is your opinion of the condition of the public park and recreation facilities?
Likert Type Scale
Funding
Source
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1
Do
Not Favor
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2 Slightly Favor |
3 No Opinion |
4 Favor |
5 Strongly Favor |
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Bond issues be repaid by property taxes? |
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Wording Considerations
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are the words clearly understood? |
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are abbreviations being used? |
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are the questions vague? |
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does the question have a built-in bias? |
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is the question objectionable? |
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does the question pertain to two or more issues? |
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is too much knowledge assumed? |
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is there an appropriate time reference? |
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can responses be compared with standard information? |
Questionnaire Format
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questions ordered in a logical sequence |
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questionnaire of reasonable length (maximum length of 8-10 pages, or no more than 20 minutes to complete) |
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should be easily readable |
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2001. Northern Arizona University, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED