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Keep the questionnaire simple and clear | |
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There are different ways to ask questions. Consider having a mix of question types as follows: |
A questionnaire is one of the most commonly used ways to collect data for project planning and evaluation. Before you develop your own questionnaire, check the literature to see if an appropriate questionnaire already exists. If not, here is a suggested process for writing your own questionnaire.
Steps in questionnaire development
| Step 1 | Write down the broad areas you want to cover in your questionnaire. Do not turn them into questions just yet. The point is to make sure you have covered all topic areas adequately | |
| Step 2 | Think about what you are trying to measure (knowledge? attitude? belief? behaviour?). The purpose will determine the style of question | |
| Step 3 | Write your questions:
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| Step 4 | Get feedback on the questionnaire from colleagues | |
| Step 5 | Modify your questionnaire based on comments from colleagues | |
| Step 6 | Pilot the modified questionnaire with a few people from the target group. Piloting means testing your questionnaire to make sure that there are no flaws in it and you are getting the information that you need | |
| Step 7 | Revise the questionnaire | |
| Step 8 | Do a second pilot | |
| Step 9 | Do a final revision before asking people to complete the questionnaire |
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Keep the questionnaire simple and clear | |
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There are different ways to ask questions. Consider having a mix of question types as follows: |
Open ended
For example: what did you like least about the session?
Closed
For example: do you smoke tobacco? (circle one) Yes/No
Likert Scale
For example:
it's okay to drink alcohol and then drive if there is not much traffic about (circle
answer)
Multiple choice
For example: what is the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) when driving a motor
vehicle? (tick one box)
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There are some question types to avoid: |
- overly long questions
- asking two questions in one ('double-barrelled' questions)
- questions using unfamiliar technical language or strange words
- questions that suggest an answer ('leading' questions)
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Put sensitive questions later in the questionnaire | |
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Ensure questions are in a logical sequence | |
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Ensure questions will generate valid and reliable data (see 'Glossary') | |
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Think carefully about how you are going to analyse the data and whether any of the responses can be quantified | |
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There are many useful books on questionnaire design. See the 'Bibliography' at the end of this chapter |
Interviewing is one of the most important methods used in project planning and evaluation. An interview is a face-to-face meeting between two or more people where an interviewer asks questions to obtain information from one or more respondents. Sometimes interviews take place by telephone.
There are two main types of interviews:
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See 'Bibliography' for some useful books and articles on interviewing methods |
An interview can be 'structured' or 'semi-structured'.
Structured interviews
Structured interviews are interviews in which the question and answer categories have
been pre-determined. Specific questions are asked in a specific order. The interviewer
uses a questionnaire that is followed exactly. Therefore, respondents are limited in how
they can answer the questions.
This type of interview can produce both qualitative and quantitative data.
Semi-structured interviews
Semi-structured interviews have no fixed wording of questions or ordering of
questions. The interviewer has a list of the main topics and some open questions (called
'probes') to be covered so that the interview does not go too far off track. Respondents
have more scope in how they answer the questions. This type of interview generates
qualitative data.
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Choose the right setting. Find a place that will be comfortable for the respondent | |
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Be organised. The respondent has given his/her time to be interviewed | |
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At the beginning of the interview explain who you are and why you want to do the interview, and how the information will be used (see 'Ethical matter' in this chapter) | |
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If you intend to use a tape recorder, ask first. Remember that some people do not feel comfortable speaking with a tape recorder running | |
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Relax. If you do, there is more chance that the person you are interviewing will also relax | |
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If people are used to speaking in a language other than English try to get an interpreter. Aboriginal people may feel more comfortable with an Aboriginal interviewer, young people with other young people and so on | |
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Listen carefully. Be aware of your body language | |
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Do not express an opinion; remain impartial. Especially, do not argue | |
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When you get to the end of the interview, ask the person if there is anything else he/she would like to say or if there are any questions. Thank the person for his/her time and interest | |
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See the 'Bibliography' for references about interviewing |
