Questionnaire Surveys Obtaining data by asking people questions and recording their answers Obtaining data by asking people questions and recording their answers A standardised set of question is given to each respondent; they give their answers in writing A standardised set of question is given to each respondent; they give their answers in writing Gets you lots of data quickly and gives you an insight into people’s views, opinions and attitudes Gets you lots of data quickly and gives you an insight into people’s views, opinions and attitudes But only if they answer accurately But only if they answer accurately

Questionnaire Surveys Decide which attitudes, behaviours or traits you want to measure Decide which attitudes, behaviours or traits you want to measure Decide whether you want qualitative or quantitative data Decide whether you want qualitative or quantitative data Decide which sorts of questions you will ask Decide which sorts of questions you will ask Pilot and modify the questionnaire Pilot and modify the questionnaire Collect data Collect data

Type of Data Qualitative data Qualitative data Rich in detail or description, usually in textual or narrative form Rich in detail or description, usually in textual or narrative form Quantitative data Quantitative data Numerical data, measurements of quantity or amount Numerical data, measurements of quantity or amount

Type of Data Qualitative Qualitative Rich in detail Rich in detail Allows for in-depth analysis Allows for in-depth analysis BUT BUT Difficult to analyse Difficult to analyse Difficult to compare people or groups Difficult to compare people or groups Quantitative Easier to analyse (e.g. statistically) Easier to compare people or groups BUT Undetailed and potentially superficial

Types of Question Open questions Open questions Allow respondents to answer however they want Allow respondents to answer however they want Generate qualitative data Generate qualitative data Closed questions Closed questions Restrict respondent to a predetermined set of responses Restrict respondent to a predetermined set of responses Generate quantitative data Generate quantitative data

Types of Closed Question Straightforward response Straightforward response Are you female or male? MF Are you female or male? MF What is your age in years? ____ years What is your age in years? ____ years Do you smoke? YesNo Do you smoke? YesNo

Types of Closed Question Checklist Checklist What is the highest academic qualification you hold? What is the highest academic qualification you hold? GCSEs GCSEs A – Levels A – Levels Batchelor Degree Batchelor Degree Post-graduate Degree Post-graduate Degree

Types of Closed Question Adjectival/adverbial response Adjectival/adverbial response Does your anxiety affect your ability to do the following things? Does your anxiety affect your ability to do the following things? Not at all A Bit Very much Go to work Meet friends Go shopping

Types of Closed Question Numerical (Likert) response scale Numerical (Likert) response scale Psychology is the most interesting A-Level subject Psychology is the most interesting A-Level subject Strongly agree Agree Not sure Disagree Strongly Disagree

Types of Closed Question Ranking scale Ranking scale Rank the following activities according to how much time you spend on them each day (1 = most time, 4 = least time) Rank the following activities according to how much time you spend on them each day (1 = most time, 4 = least time) Talking face to face Talking face to face Talking on the telephone Talking on the telephone Text messaging Text messaging Other (e.g. MSN, IRC chat) Other (e.g. MSN, IRC chat)

Questionnaire Design Keep it simple & clear Keep it simple & clear Keep it as short as possible Keep it as short as possible Keep it relevant to purpose Keep it relevant to purpose Collect personal information last Collect personal information last Ask for one piece of information at a time Ask for one piece of information at a time Allow for ‘don’t know’ where appropriate Allow for ‘don’t know’ where appropriate Be sensitive Be sensitive

Pilot and Modify Test Questionnaire with a group of PPs Obtain feedback from them Identify issues with the q’aire Alter the problem q’aire items