StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

The Principles of Questionnaires - Article Example

Summary
This essay analyzes that researchers utilize different methods to perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data they compiled. There are two major types of research which are primary and secondary research. Secondary research is research based on already existing research literature…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.9% of users find it useful
The Principles of Questionnaires
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "The Principles of Questionnaires"

The Principles of Questionnaires Researchers utilize different methods to perform quantitative and qualitative analysis of the data they compiled. There are two major types of research which are primary and secondary research. Secondary research is research based on already existing research literature such as journal articles, while primary research is an original piece of research performed by a person or institution (Isd) Research performed based on qualitative research concentrates on gathering data based on information that is mostly expressed in terms of words and sentences. Numerical analysis is not emphasized in qualitative research, but in the result analysis of the research they may be applied based on the qualitative data gathered. The philosophical foundation in which qualitative research is founded is called interpretivism (Neil, 2006). Different forms of qualitative research include observation, ethnography, case studies, photography, dramaturgical interviews and surveys or questionnaires. This paper emphasizes in the methodology and principles involved in surveys or questionnaires. Questionnaires are the most commonly utilized research method (Statpac). The advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires are analyzed and particular applications of this research method are provided related to its significance in the health care industry. Questionnaires are very useful tool that allow the gathering of data for research and program evaluation or to access the current status or need of a specific group (Nedarc, 2006). This research method can be applied in the field in an anonymous basis quite easily. In medicine the significance of the utilization of questionnaires is extremely important. For example by utilizing surveys the health care industry can target certain groups of patients and get information from them anonymously that patients with sensitive and private conditions such as HIV/AIDS patients would not be willing to reveal to anyone since many of these patients prefer to keep their condition status a secret due to discrimination and other privacy issues. Questionnaires can be administered in a variety of ways such as by mail, telephone, online, personally and through mobile technology. There are different advantages and disadvantages to the different types of questionnaires formats. The common characteristic among all formats is that it is of the utmost importance for the researcher to properly design the questionnaire that the subjects are going to answer. A badly design questionnaire will display weaknesses such as single method instead of multiple possibility design, inadequate sampling procedures, low response rate, weak linkages between questions and respondents, and over reliance on cross sectional questionnaires instead of longitudinal questionnaires (Kraemer, 1992). A bad response rate is a characteristic of a poor design questionnaire because the respondents are not motivated to fill out a questionnaire that does not make any sense to them. The cross sectional and longitudinal conflict means that the researcher is relying too much on a research method based on gathering all the date in a single time instance which is called cross sectional data, instead of applying a methodology based on gathering data in different time intervals (Washington). Another problem with poor design questionnaires is that they lead to inclusive of bias, an undesirable characteristic of any research initiative. Bias can be eliminated from a questionnaire by rearranging the order of the questions so that one response does not affect the answer to a subsequent question and by providing multiple response alternatives (Trendwatch). In order for a questionnaire to be effective it must possess certain characteristics. Seven elements that ensure a complete questionnaire in order for the method to be able to reach the target audience are: Demographics Behaviors Attitudes Knowledge Predispositions Propositional Intentions (Ambrose & Anstey, 2007). The different types of questionnaire formats have specific qualities which differentiates them. For example statistics revealed by ODMP website showed that the response rate of face to face questionnaires is 10.6%, which is a much smaller rate in comparison with mail questionnaires which are answered 32.1% of the time (Ives, 2007). Mail survey are good at finding data about customer reactions and satisfaction such as the quality of the service provided by nurses at a hospital, problem incidents, and time sensitive issues; but they suffer from issues such as bias in response rates, problems with respondents with low levels of literacy, and quality control of the data (Marketstreetresearch, 2004). Mobile technology questionnaire applications is a promising method since it provides very fast responses from the subjects, but it suffers from limitation such as the size of the surveys and other issues familiar with online technologies such as set up cost, quality of the data, and targeting of subject inefficiencies (Shitaro, 2007). Online questionnaires are good at collecting data in fast timeframes, saving money in terms of cost per respondent, and reaching new communities (Yenza). In the health care field questionnaires have many applications. Three ways questionnaires can be incorporated in the medical field to obtain data is symptom questionnaires, in evaluations of medical treatment programs such as alcohol abuse therapies, and in medical research. The performance of the therapies can be benchmark by analyzing the data of the questionnaire in order to make improvements to the program and better serve the patients (Nedarc, 2006). Palliative research requires in-depth detail data collection. Questionnaires are prepared in this field of medical research so that the participants answering the questions undertake complex cognitive processes, including understanding and interpreting questions, retrieval of information from memory, and undergo a decision process to estimate answer and response formulation (FEM Murtagh, 2007). Questionnaires are an extremely useful and valuable method for performing primary research due to the simplicity, low cost and time saving associated with this format. . A study of a sample size of 215 peer reviewed journal articles revealed that 63.4% of the researchers incorporated surveys / questionnaires with the content of the article in some capacity (Gregory & Feldt, 2007). A questionnaire is as good as its design. The question must be prepared in a way that the participants comprehend the material and multiple choice questions are recommended to eliminate bias in the questionnaire. Questionnaires are a powerful research tool that positive influenced many investigations and research projects in the past which is transforming itself and gaining greater popularity due to new technologies such as the internet and mobile technology. References Ambrose, D. and J. R. Bank. (2007). Better Survey Design Is: Stuck for an Answer? Bank Marketing, 39(2), 26-31. Available from EBSCOhost database [Accessed 8 November 2007]. Crawford, G. and Jessica, F. (2007). An Analysis of the Literature on Instruction in Academic Libraries, 46(3), 77-87. Available from EBSCOhost database. [Accessed 8 November 2007]. FEM Murtagh, et al. (2007). The value of cognitive care interviewing techniques in palliative care research. Palliative Medicine, 21, 87-93. Available from EBSCOhost database [Accessed 8 November 2007]. Isu.edu. Research Guide. Available from [Accessed 7 November 2007]. Ives, G. (2007). Research Note: reporting anti-social behavior. Community Safety Journal, 6(2), 39-43. Available from EBSCOhost database. [Accessed 8 November 2007]. Kraemer, K.L. (1992). Survey Research Methodology in Management Information Systems. University of California. Available from [Accessed 7 November 2007]. Marketstreetresearch.com (2004). Mail Surveys. Available from [Accessed 8 November 2007]. Nedarc.com (2006). Surveys or Questionnaires. Available from [Accessed November 8 2007]. Nedarc.com (2006). Collecting data for performance measures. Available [Accessed 8 November 2007]. Neill, J. (2006). Analysis of Professional Literature. Available from [Accessed November 8 2007]. Shintaro, O. (2007). Assessing mobile-based online surveys. International Journal of Market Research, 49(5), 651-675. Available from EBSCOhost database [Accessed 8 November 2007]. Statpac.com. Survey and Questionnaire Design. Avaliable from [Accessed 8 November 2007]. Trendwatch.com. TrendWatch Survey Methodology. Available from [Accessed 7 November 2007] Washington.edu. Chapter 7: Cross Sectional Data Analysis and Regression. Available from [Accessed 8 November 2007]. Yenza. Start your Research. Available [Accessed 8 November 2007]. Read More

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF The Principles of Questionnaires

Critical Comparison between Questionnaires and Focus Groups

This current research is the best example of critical comparison between questionnaires and focus groups.... In both focus groups and questionnaires, a researcher can use structured questions.... Based on the analysis on the differences and similarities between questionnaires and focus groups in this essay, it is clear that questionnaires are more reliable research instruments relative to focus groups.... Using questionnaires will enable me to collect vast information from diverse respondents in different geographical locations....
22 Pages (5500 words) Essay

Methods Of Educational Research

Strengths of questionnaires Questionnaires allow a researcher to contact many people easily and quickly.... Limitations of questionnaires It is difficult for the researcher to identify complex issues because of the questionnaire's design.... Questionnaire questionnaires are defined as formulated questions that are structured for collecting primary data.... questionnaires are also defined as techniques in which different people are supposed to answer the same questions (Beiske, 2007)....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

British Olympic Team

Interviewing and questionnaires were chosen as the main sources of data gathering.... British Olympic Team has showed much greater results in Athens than it was expected by most of the fans.... "Team GB won 30 medals, the best tally since Los Angeles in 1984.... (BBC.... o.... k 2004)....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Questionnaires versus Interviews

While QUESTIONNAIRES VS INTERVIEW The use of questionnaires presents individuals with the capa to undertake researches quickly and enhance the gaining of information quickly.... The application of questionnaires makes researches prone to such falsehoods.... While the questionnaires are considered effective when seeking to reduce the costs of undertaking a research, many nurses utilise them.... While the questionnaires are considered effective when seeking to reduce the costs of undertaking a research, many nurses utilise them in saving the amount of time for undertaking research....
1 Pages (250 words) Assignment

The Impact of Total Quality Management on Employees Productivity

The reporter underlines that nowadays there is an increased regulation and competition, which has had an equal impact on both non-profit organizations and profit-oriented organizations, and with this into consideration, organizations across the divided have applied various techniques to ensure that they are compliant to the legal requirements....
13 Pages (3250 words) Research Proposal

Evaluation of the Developed Draft Questionnaire

The paper "Evaluation of the Developed Draft Questionnaire" is an outstanding example of a science assignment.... In fact, the developed draft questionnaire would have some questions that the consumers would be required to answer in the research project.... The first question would be a demographics/segment identifier....
10 Pages (2500 words) Assignment

Paper-Pencil-Questionnaires and Web-Based Questionnaires

The paper "Paper-Pencil-questionnaires and Web-Based questionnaires" is a perfect example of a science assignment.... The paper "Paper-Pencil-questionnaires and Web-Based questionnaires" is a perfect example of a science assignment.... The paper "Paper-Pencil-questionnaires and Web-Based questionnaires" is a perfect example of a science assignment.... aper-pencil-questionnaires and Web-based questionnaires- the combination of these two data collection methods will deliver all the required information for the study....
10 Pages (2500 words) Assignment

Questionnaire Research Study Method

For the layout, the questions in the questionnaires are flowing with each question building up for the information generated for the last question as well as laying the ground for the next.... The paper "Questionnaire Research Study Method" is an outstanding example of a science assignment....
10 Pages (2500 words) Assignment
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us