Data collection is the process of collecting and measuring the data on targeted variables through an established system to evaluate outcomes by answering relevant questions. In simple words, data collection is the gathering of information from various sources. Before explaining Questionnaire as a Tool of Data Collection, it is essential to know five major tools of data collection in social research.
Tools of Data Collection
There are five tools of data collection in social research.
- Questionnaire -Written document comprised of specific questions.
- Interview schedule – Pre-planned questions are followed.
- Interview Guide / IDI – Based on open-ended questions and flexible in nature.
- Observation – Careful and silent activity to know about the phenomenon.
- Focus Group Discussions – A specific group of people having knowledge in a particular field.
Questionnaire
The questionnaire is a carefully formulated document to collect data from large, diverse, and widely scattered groups of people.
A questionnaire is an efficient and simple method for collecting information from diverse groups of individuals across a large area. In this approach, a questionnaire form is typically handed over or sent to the respondents, accompanied by an appropriate request to fill in the questions and return them to the researcher.
According to Goode and Hatt, “It is a tool for obtaining responses to questions through a form that the respondent completes themselves,” as stated by GA. Lundberg: “Basically, the questionnaire is a collection of prompts that illiterate individuals are exposed to in order to observe their verbal reactions to these prompts.”
Types of Questions
Closed-ended Questions
Closed-ended questions, also known as structured questions, are those questions that provide a question prompt and require respondents to pick from a given list of predetermined responses. These responses may include options such as yes/no, multiple choice, or rating scales.
Open-ended Questions
Open-ended questions, also known as unstructured questions, are those questions that provide respondents with a question prompt and a space to construct their own responses freely. Respondents are not restricted to any predetermined answers and can express their thoughts, opinions, and experiences in their own words.
Dichotomous Question
Respondents are given the choice between two options: yes or no. This questionnaire is incredibly user-friendly, making it simple for respondents to provide their answers.
Scaling Questions
These questions are commonly known as ranking questions. They allow respondents to rank the available answers on a scale of values, for example, from 1 to 10.
Types of Questionnaire
Structured Questionnaire
A structured (or closed) questionnaire has a structure or pre-determined questions and answers and the respondent simply ticks those answers. It is also called a closed categorical or restricted questionnaire.
Unstructured Questionnaire (Open Ended Questionnaire)
An unstructured questionnaire contains open or provocative questions that invite respondents to answer freely in their own words. It does not follow a fixed format and allows flexibility in asking questions. The researcher usually presents open-ended questions and allows respondents to provide their own detailed answers without any predefined categories or limitations. The answers are therefore, shaped and structured by the respondents themselves, reflecting their personal opinions, experiences, and understanding.
For example, asking “What do you know about poverty?” or “How does poverty affect your daily life?” are suitable examples of unstructured questions, as they encourage the respondent to elaborate freely. This type of questionnaire is particularly useful in exploratory research where the researcher wants to gather in-depth, qualitative information without restricting the respondent’s thinking or expression.
Hand-delivered Questionnaire (Direct Questionnaire)
This is a type of questionnaire in which the investigator goes into the field himself and hands over the pre-written questionnaire to the respondents. The respondent ticks mark the relevant answers to the listed questions in front of the investigator.
Mailed Questionnaire
Most often, the mailed questionnaire is used in social research. In the mailed questionnaire, a respondent is living at a far distance place and cannot be personally contacted. In such a case, the questionnaire is mailed by post to the respondent to fill in and returning it to the source of sending or to the concerned investigation department or agency. A mailed questionnaire may be structured, unstructured, or mixed. A particular guideline or instruction list is attached to a questionnaire to guide the respondents.
Structure or Elements of Questionnaire
Front Page
The questionnaire should have a front page with a title and subtitle, and it should have the name of the investigator or interviewer and the name of the organization conducting the investigation.
Study and Consultation
The investigator should have an extensive and intensive study of the relevant literature.
Order of Questions
There should be a logical sequence in the questions. Questions should be simple and understandable.
Size and Length of the Questionnaire
The size of the questionnaire should be moderately manageable, which means that the questionnaire is neither too large nor too small.
Types of Questions
The questionnaire should either be closed-ended or open-ended. It depends on the nature of the research.
Quality of Paper
The quality of paper should be fine. It should withstand publishing.
Pre-testing
Try out your questionnaire on a few friends and acquaintances.
Choosing of Respondents
Choose respondents carefully. It is important that a questionnaire be sent to those who possess the desired information, who is interested and honestly willing to fill it.
Follow-up
Follow-up refers to the action taken by the researcher when respondents fail to return the questionnaire within the given time. The researcher sends reminders or second copies to encourage non-respondents to complete and return it. Its main purpose is to increase the response rate and ensure complete data collection.
Strategies for Questionnaire Construction
Objective
The objective must be kept in mind, and four categories should be made in the questionnaire.
- Must know (those questions are essential)
- Useful to know (those questions are beneficial)
- Nice to know (if you don’t know, it doesn’t matter, and if you know, it’s good)
- Don’t know/ not applicable (if someone does not know the answer)
Language must be Familiar
The language of the questionnaire must be easy to understand. For this purpose, the formal terms should be explained in an easy way.
Filter Questions
Unrelated questions should be skipped. Do not ask about children to an unmarried person.
Covering Letters
It is important for the cover letter to clearly outline the purpose of the survey, provide an estimate of the expected number of respondents, describe the topic and questions of the survey, assure confidentiality or anonymity, and offer information on how participants can access further details about the study.
Avoid Leading Questions
A leading question is a type of question that influences respondents to answer in a specific manner based on how they are presented. For example, “Don’t you think the government is doing a poor job managing inflation?” Do not suggest an answer; avoid Yes/No and either / or answers, and remove biased language.
Avoid Loaded Questions
Do not use inadequate language. i.e., the bloody government increase the poverty rate.
Avoid Double-barreled Questions
In one question, do not ask two questions i.e., how much do you enjoy while collecting and analyzing data?
Avoid Double Negative Questions
e.g., it is not impossible for me to pass the exam.
Avoid Secondary Questions
Do not ask questions about the subject that is not relevant to the respondent. e.g., would your brother pass the BA exam?
Avoid Time-related Questions
Do not ask questions related to counting or numbers of something e.g., how many cups of tea did u take last year?
Avoid Hypothetical Questions
Do not ask questions based on assumptions.e.g., if you become king, what will you do?
Advantages of Questionnaire
- Questionnaire increases speed of data collection.
- Low or no cost requirements.
- Higher level of objectivity as compared to many alternative methods of primary data collection.
Disadvantages of Questionnaire
- Respondents may select random answer choices without properly reading the questions, leading to inaccurate data.
- Respondents cannot express additional thoughts due to the absence of relevant or open-ended questions.
- Limited application, as questionnaires are not suitable for all types of research, especially qualitative studies.
- Low response rate, as many respondents fail to complete and return the questionnaire on time.
- Self-selecting bias, as only certain people choose to respond, making results less representative of the whole population.
- Lack of opportunity to clarify issues, as respondents cannot seek clarification on ambiguous questions, leading to misunderstood responses.
