1. Questionnaire design (general issues) Dr. Codruta Gosa codrutagosa@yahoo.co.uk

2. Logic Questionnaires are the most important research instrument in small/medium/large scale surveys which: Collect data using standardised approaches on a range of variables; Search for patterns of causal relationships Test given theory by confirming or denying hypotheses

3. Logic (cont.) The collection of a certain amount of data; The selection of samples of individuals from known populations (frame).

4. Characteristics Theory/hypotheses-driven Measurement oriented (facts, attitude, behaviour) Structured and standardised (in design, administration and analysis)

5. Types Factual Attitudinal Social psychological Explanatory

6. Sampling procedures Entire frame Probability (e.g. random sampling): generalisability, representativeness Non-probability samples (e.g. snowball sampling):

7. Medium/channel of administration Self-completion Face-to-face Telephone Mail E-mail/internet

8. Stages Preliminary work Selection of respondents Selection of types of questions Questionnaire design Trialling of question wording Piloting the questionnaire Administration of questionnaire Coding and analysis Producing the report

9. Task: Think of your topic for the BA dissertation 1. Try to identify question(s) that could be answered by a survey based on questionnaire; 2. Try to identify your target population and ways of sampling (if the case); 3. Try to identify ways of administering a questionnaire (when and where).

10. Questionnaire design: the questions

11. Classification of question types (1) Classification questions (the personal/demographic section) Factual questions Opinion/attitude questions

12. Classification of question types (2) Close-ended questions Open-ended questions Semi-closed questions

13. Classification of question types (3) True/False Yes/No questions Agree/Disagree questions Multiple choice Sentence completion Scales

14. Examples of scales (1) Likert Scale: places people’s answers on an attitude continuum, the respondent is generally invited to agree – disagree with statements) Example: expectancy of success Highly improbable 1 2 3 4 5 Highly probable In the future I expect that I will: be a good parent □ be able to accomplish my goal □ be able to solve my own problems □

15. Examples of scales (2) Semantic differential scale (Osgood’s scale): to explore the ratings given along pairs of opposite adjectives Example: For each pair of adjectives tick one which reflects the extent to which you believe the adjectives describe police officers. Honest (_)(_) (_) (_) (_) Dishonest Stupid (_) (_) (_) (_) (_) Intelligent Valuable (_) (_) (_) (_) (_) Useless

16. Question wording May’s: (1993) ‘ten commandments’ for question design 1. Ensure that questions are not too general 2. Use the simplest language possible bearing in mind the intended audience 3. Avoid using prejudicial language 4. Avoid ambiguity 5. Eliminate vague words 6. Avoid leading questions 7. Ensure that the respondents have the necessary knowledge (or can recall it) 8. Do not presume patterns of behaviour 9. Avoid hypothetical questions 10. Exercise caution in the use of personal, ethically challenging questions

17. Task What is wrong with the following questions according to May’s taxonomy. Try to improve them. Are you a wife beater? What do you think about the Prime Minister? If you were president for a day what would you do? It is acceptable for women to hold important political offices in state governments. (agree/disagree) How long have you been unemployed and in receipt of benefit? You don’t think that taxes should be raised, do you? What newspapers do you usually buy? Do you consider that parental advisory signs are prejudicial to cinematographic by-products? (addressed to a teen agers) What do you think of drug consumption in the 1950s?

18. Ways of exercising caution in the use of personal, ethically challenging questions The casual approach: ‘Do you happen to be a wife beater?’ The everybody approach: ‘As you know many people have been beating their wives these days. Do you beat yours?’

19. The other people approach: Do you know any wife beaters? How about yourself? The numbered card approach: ‘Will you please read/write the number on the card which corresponds to what you do to your wife?’