-QUESTIONNAIRES-

Questionnaires

The advantages of using questionnaires in collecting data from the samples are;

·         They could be distributed to all the samples at the same time

·         They could be mailed to the samples (if there are issues of distance)

There are a few numbers of disadvantages of using questionnaires such as;

·         The vague questions thus lead to the vague answers from the sample

·         The limited room for the samples to respond

Item Formats

Each instrument items is categorized either as selection or supply items.

The selection items require the respondents to choose an answer from a set of possible responses.

The examples of the selection items are true-false items, multiple choice items, matching items and interpretive exercise.

• True-false items require the respondents to provide responses either true-false, yes-no, right-wrong, etc.
• Multiple choice items feature the question and possible answers. The respondents are asked to pick one answer. 
• Matching items feature 2 columns/groups. The respondents should match the right and left column/group.
• Interpretive exercises feature an introductory paragraph explaining on the desired question. It is usually in a form of map, picture etc. Then, it is followed by one selection item (it could be true-false items, multiple choice items or matching items)

As for the supply items, the respondents are required to provide their answers. These include short-answer items and essay questions. 

• Short-answer items ask the respondents to provide the answers in a form of symbol, or a word, or a number etc.

• Essay questions involve writing in a certain length, as required.

 

*The example of questionnaire could be found on page 119, Figure 7.12