12 Questionnaire and Schedule Method

Pa . Raajeswari

INTRODUCTION

A questionnaire and schedule is considered the heart of a survey work. Hence, it should be carefully constructed. Questionnaires are a method used to collect standardized data from large numbers of people. They are used to collect data in a statistical form. If it is not properly constructed, the survey will become difficult.

A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions on other prompts for gathering information from respondents. Although they are often designed for statistical analysis of the responses, this is not always the case.

MEANING OF QUESTIONNAIRE

A questionnaire is a form prepared and distributed to secure responses to certain questions. It is a device for securing answers to questions by using a form which the respondent fills by himself. It is a systematic complication of questions and organised series of questions that are to be sent to the population samples. It is an important instrument in normative-survey research, being used to gather information from widely scattered sources. The questionnaire procedure normally comes into use where one cannot readily see personally all of the people from whom the research desires responses or where there is no particular reason to see them personally.

Purpose of questionnaire is twofold: i) to collect information from the respondents who are scattered in a vast area, ii) to achieve success in collecting reliable and dependable data.

FORMS OF QUESTIONNAIRE

Structured vs. non-structured. The structured contains definite, concrete and direct questions, whereas non-structured may consist of partially completed questions or statements.

A   non-structured questionnaire is often used as the interview guide, which is non-directive. The interviewer possesses only a blueprint of the enquiries and he is largely free to arrange the form or statements of the questions. The enquiries framed in a general form beforehand are given a specific form during the actual process of interview.

Closed form vs. open form: the question that call for short check responses are known as restricted or closed form type. They provide for making a yes or no, a short response, or checking an item out of a list of given responses. It restricts the choice of response for the respondent. He has simply to select a response out of supplied responses and has not to frame his response in his own way.

It is easy to fill out, takes less time, keeps the respondent on the subject, is relatively more objective, more acceptable and convenient to the respondent, and is fairly easy to tabulate and analyse.

The open-form, open-end or unrestricted type questionnaire calls for a free response in the respondent’s own words. The respondent frames and supplies his own response. No clues are provided. It probably provides for greater depth of response. The subject reveals his mind, gives his frame of reference and possibility the reasons for his responses

The mixed questionnaire: the mixed questionnaire consists of both close and open type questionnaires. For social research, this method is very useful. Many questionnaires include both open and closed type items. Each type has its specific merits and limitations and the research worker has to decide which type is more likely to supply the information he wants.

Fact and opinion questionnaire: questionnaire are also classified as: i) questionnaire of fact, which requires certain information of facts from the respondent without any reference to his opinion or attitude about them and ii) questionnaire of opinion and attitude in which the informant’s opinion, attitude or preference regarding some phenomena is sought.

Pictorial questionnaire: in the pictorial questionnaire, pictures are used to promote interest in answering questions. It is used extensively in studies of social attitudes and prejudices in children or illiterate persons. In a pictorial questionnaire, the selected alternative answers in the form of pictures are given and the respondent is required to tick the picture concerned. This questionnaire may be very useful for collecting data in a developing country like India, specially from the rural masses who are mostly illiterate and less knowledgeable. The serious limitation of this questionnaire is that it is lengthy in form. Also it is highly expensive.

In the questionnaire technique, great reliance is placed on the respondent’s verbal report for data on the stimuli or experiences to which he is exposed and for knowledge of his behaviour. The questionnaire is effective only when the respondent is able or willing to express his reactions clearly. A good questionnaire can elicit cooperation of the respondent to get frank answers on almost any subject, even such personal matters as sex and income. Thus, it is clear that the respondent can judge the study only by what he can see. The questionnaire, by its very nature, is an impersonal technique and it is several pieces of paper appeals/persuades the respondent that he ought to participate.

RULES FOR CONSTRUCTING A QUESTIONNAIRE:

• Clearly worded items(eg: avoid usually ,most)
• Short questions
• Only one idea(concept)per question
• Avoid negatively worded items
• Avoid technical language and jargon
• Avoid leading questions(cues to answers)
• Avoid lengthy questions

FORMULATION OF QUESTIONS AND FORMAT

If the types of measurements to be made are clearly known, then the researcher can formulate necessary questions relating to each measurement. While formulating a question, its content should be such that each respondent graphs the intention of the question very quickly as originally thought by the researcher. This will minimize the distortion of the research focus. In addition, the format of each question in relation to that of the overall questionnaire should be decided.

The following factors are to be considered before drafting the questionnaire.

• Covering letter: The person conducting the survey should introduce himself to the respondents through a covering letter. In this covering letter,one can state the objectives of his study along with a formal request to fill up the questionnaire.
• Number of questions: As far as possible, the number of questions should be limited. There should be no repetation of questions. The response from the respondents will be poor if the numbers of questions are too many. Hence, care must be taken to minimise the number of questions.
• Sequence of questions: The questions should be arranged in a logical order. The sequential arrangement of questions makes it easy for the respondents to make a spontaneous reply. Eg: It is irrelevant to ask the number of children before asking whether the respondent is married or not.
• Ambiguity of questions: The questions should be unambiguous, that is, questions should give only one meaning. There should be only one answer to a question. The question should focus on only one point.
• Questions should be short and simple: The questions should not be lengthy. They must be short and easily understandable by the respondent. As far as possible technical terms should be avoided.
• Personal questions: As far as possible, questions of personal and pecuniary nature should not be asked. Eg: Questions about income, sales tax paid and the like may not be answered by respondents in writing. If this information is essential, if must be obtained by personal interviews. Therefore, these questions are to be avoided unless otherwise the study actually requires it.
• Instructions to the informants: The questionnaire should provide necessary instructions to the informants. For example, it should specify the time within which it should be sent back and the address to which it should be sent. Instructions necessary to fill up the questions can also be given in the questionnaire.
• Type of answer: As far as possible the answers for the questions should be objective type, that is ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ type questions are most welcome. However, when the alternative is not clear cut, the ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ questions should be avoided.
• Questions requiring calculations: Questions requiring calculation of ratios, percentages, and totals should not be asked as it may take much time and the respondents may feel reluctant.
• Attraction: A questionnaire should be made to look as attractive as possible. The printing and paper used should be neat and qualitative. Enough space should be left for answering the questions.

QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN PROCESS:

STEP I: Determine survey objectives, resources and constraints

STEP II: Determine the data collection method

STEP III: Determine the question response format

STEP IV: Decide on the question wording

STEP V: Establish questionnaire flow and layout

STEP VI:Evaluate the questionnaire

STEP VII: obtain approval of all relevant parties

STEP VIII: Pre-test And Revise

STEP IX: Prepare and final copy

STEP X: Implement the survey

TYPES OF QUESTIONNAIRE

METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION

• Self administered questionnaire: respondents fills in the questionnaire him/her self.
• Schedule: the investigator/researched reads out the questions and records the respondents answers

ADVANTAGES OF QUESTIONNAIRE

• The responses are gathered in a standardised way, so questionnaires are more objective, certainly more so than interviews.
• Generally, it is relatively quick to collect information using a questionnaire. However, in some situations they can take a long time not only to design but also to apply and analyse.
• Potentially information can be collected from a large portion of a group. This potential is not often realised, as returns from questionnaires are usually low. However, return rates can be dramatically improved if the questionnaire is delivered and responded to in class time.

DISADVANTAGES OF QUESTIONNAIRE

• Questionnaires, like many evaluation methods occur after the event, so participants may forget important issues.
• Questionnaires are standardised so it is not possible to explain any points in the questions that participants might misinterpret. This could be partially solved by piloting the questions on a small group of students or at least friends and colleagues. It is advisable to do this anyway.
• Open-ended questions can generate large amounts of data that can take a long time to process and analyse. One way of limiting this would be to limit the space available to students so their responses are concise or to sample the students and survey only a portion of them.
• Respondents may answer superficially especially if the questionnaire takes a long time to complete. The common mistake of asking too many questions should be avoided.
• Students may not be willing to answer the questions. They might not wish to reveal the information or they might think that they will not benefit from responding perhaps even be penalised by giving their real opinion. Students should be told why the information is being collected and how the results will be beneficial. They should be asked to reply honestly and told that if their response is negative this is just as useful as a more positive opinion. If possible the questionnaire should be anonymous.

INTRODUCTION OF SCHEDULE

”The schedule is nothing more than a list of questions which it seems necessary to test the hypothesis”. A schedule is a structure of set of questions on a given topic which are asked by an interviewer is investigated personally. Schedule is the most important tool. It is similar to a questionnaire. It is administered by the researcher in person and it is filled up by the researcher. As the schedule is presented in person it need not be attractive. The techniques of preparing questionnaire are also applied to framing an interview schedule.

DEFINITION OF SCHEDULE

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Schedule is also a set of questions which is filled in by investigator who is made responsible to collect information. The investigator approach to the respondent and record the responses of the respondent. In some cases respondent is encouraged to record the answers to the questions with the help of investigator.

The success of this method is based on selection and training of investigator, to collect information. Investigator must have competency for cross examination if necessary, investor’s personal qualities like honest hard work will improve the quality of the work. This system is very useful for extensive enquiries. It is very expensive still normally adapted by state and large organization. Census survey is conducted by this method.

MEANING OF SCHEDULE

Schedule and questionnaire are the most important tools generally used in social research. The two forms are similar in nature but the difference lies in its construction and usage. The schedule is the form containing some questions or blank tables which are to be filled by the research workers after getting information from the informants. The schedule may thus contain two types of questions i) direct questions and ii) form of a table. There are some kinds of information that can be procured only by putting a question, e.g., questions for eliciting the informants opinion, attitude, preferences or his suggestions about some matter. There are others which may better be put in the form of tables.

From the above discussion the following salient points about schedule emerge:

• The schedule is presented by the interviewer. The questions are asked and the answers are noted down by him.
• The list of questions is a more formal document, it need not be attractive.
• The schedule can be used in a very narrow sphere of social research.

PURPOSE OF SCHEDULE

The main purposes of schedule are three fold: i) to provide a standardized tool for observation or interview in order to attain objectivity. Ii) to act as memory ticker i.e., the schedule keeps the memory of the interviewer/observer refreshed and keeps him reminded of the different aspects that are to be particularly observed, iii) to facilitate the work of tabulation and analysis.

TYPES OF SCHEDULES

1.  Rating schedule

In the field of business guidance, psychological research, and social research, the rating schedules are used to assess the attitudes, opinions, preferences, inhibitions and other like elements. As evident from the term ‘rating’, in these schedules, the value and trend of the above mentioned qualities is measured.

2.   Documents schedule

The schedules of this type are used to obtain data regarding written evidence and case histories. In these schedules, those terms are included which occur frequency in documents and are to be generally found in case histories.

3.    Institutional surveys forms or evolutional schedules

The use of these schedules, as is evident from the name, is made to gather data about specialised institutions or agencies. The form and the size of evolutional schedules is determined by the nature and the complexity of the problems of an institution, more complex the problem, bigger the size of the schedule.

4.    Observation schedules

In these schedules, observer records the activities and responses of an individual or a group under specific conditions. The observation schedules may need one or more research worker to be completed. The main purpose of an observation schedules is to verify some information.

5.   Interview schedules

A fifth form of schedule is sometimes treated independently and at other times considered included in the previous type. In an interview schedule, an interviewer presents the questions of the schedule to the interviewers and records their response on blank spaces.

STEPS IN FRAMING A SCHEDULE

1.    Study the different aspects of the problem

The problem under study should first of all be split up into various aspects. The determination of these aspects will depend upon clear understanding of the problem under study.

2.   Sub-divide the problem to get necessary information

Each aspect has again to be broken up into a number of sub-parts. These sub-parts should be quite exhaustive to give a full and complete picture of the aspect under study.

3.   The framing of actual questions.

Care should be taken to see that the questions convey the exact sense, are easily followed by the response and they will be willing to supply information without any hesitation, bias or distortion of facts.

4.    Serialisation of questions

In order to obtain well-organised information, it is necessary that the questions should be presented to the respondents in a well-ordered serial. It has been experienced in various field studies that the change in the order of questions affects the answers adversely.

5.    Testing the validity of schedule

Whatever may be the degree of precaution taken; some slips are bound to be left out and cannot be located unless the schedule has been put into operation.

HOW DO SCHEDULES WORK?

• A rather expensive method as enumerators do not come cheap or resesrch scholar expenses often run high.
• Schedules are filled by the enumerator/researcher who can also interpret the question if necessary.
• Needless to say, the identity of the respondents  is known
• Information collection is both assured and punctual
• Questionnaires and schedules are flexible in what they can measure although they each have

SCHEDULING TOOL:

•  A Tool which supports the scheduling method
•  Identifying components names
• Providing components definitions
• Contains components relationships.
• Is used to generate the project specific schedule model.
• For eg: primavera, MS project, artemis, welcome, spider

ADVANTAGES OF SCHEDULE

1.Economical: since the questionnaire approach makes it possible to cover, at the same time, a large number of people spread over a large territory, it is decidedly more economical in terms of money, time and energy. Other methods do not afford such a facility.

2.Time saving: besides saving money, the mailed schedule also saves time. Simultaneously, hundreds of persons are approached through it whereas if they are to be interviewed it may take a very long time.

3.Suitable in special type of response: the information about certain problems can be best obtained through questionnaire method. For example, the research about sexual habits, marital relations, dreams etc, can be easily obtained by keeping the name of respondents anonymous.

4.Ensures anonymity: as the respondents are not required to indicate their names on the questionnaires, they feel free to express their views and opinions. Anonymity is a meaningful characteristic of questionnaire method. In view of its anonymity the questionnaire is more effective than an interview.

5.Less pressure on the respondents: the method places less pressure on the subject for immediate response and gives more time to the respondents for properly answering questions.

6.Uniformity: the questionnaire, by its very nature, is an impersonal technique. Uniformity from one measurement situation to another is provided by virtue of its standardised wordings of questions, standardised sequence of questions and fixed or standardised instructions for recording responses.

DISADVANTAGES OF SCHEDULE

Illiterate and less educated: one of the major limitations of the questionnaire is that it can be administered only on subjects with a considerable amount of education. Complex questionnaire requiring elaborate written replies can be used indeed on a very small percentage of population.

Proportion of returns is usually low: in a mailed questionnaire, the proportion of returns is usually low, it may sometimes be as low as 10%.

Mis-interprets/ unintelligible reply: in a questionnaire, if the respondent misinterprets a question or writes his reply unintelligibly, there is very little that can be done to correct this. In this approach there is no facility for repeating questions, explaining them or seeking clarification of a particular response.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCHEDULE AND QUESTIONNAIRE

CONCLUSION

Questionnaire and Scheduleare the most important tool in the process of data collection. It is administered by the researcher in person and it is filled up by the researcher. As the schedule is presented in person it need not be attractive. The techniques of preparing questionnaire are also applied to framing an interview schedule. Hence, usually the researchers are advised to refer to the questionnaire for more details and concentrate in preparing questionnaire and schedule.

Web links

• http://www.studylecturenotes.com/social-research-methodology/what-is-interview-schedule-definition-types
• http://www.kkhsou.in/main/masscom/research_tool.html
• https://owlcation.com/social-sciences/Schedule-and-Questionnaire-in-Research-Methodology
• http://libweb.surrey.ac.uk/library/skills/Introduction%20to%20Research%20and%20Ma naging%20Information%20Leicester/page_51.htm
• http://14.139.60.114:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/719/27/Methods%20of%20Data %20Collection.pdf