3. Questionnaires
A questionnaire is simply a ‘tool’ for
collecting and recording information
about a particular issue of interest. It
is mainly made up of a list of
questions, but should also include
clear instructions and space for
answers or administrative details.
5. Structured Questionnaires
in which some control or guidance is given for
the answer. This may be described as closed
form because the questions are basically
short, requiring the respondent to provide a
‘yes’ or ‘no’ response. It may, also be multiple
choice Options from which the respondent
selects the answer closer to their own
opinion. The respondent's choices are limited
to the set of options provided.
8. Advantages of a structured
questionnaire:
The researcher is able to contact large
numbers of people quickly, easily and
efficiently using a postal questionnaire.
Questionnaires are relatively quick and easy
to create and interpret (especially if closed
questions are used).
A questionnaire is easy to standardize.
For example, every respondent is asked the
same question in the same way
9. cont
The researcher, therefore, can be sure that
everyone in the sample answers exactly the
same questions, which makes this a very
reliable method of research.
Questionnaires can be used to explore
potentially embarrassing areas (such as
criminal matters) more easily than other
methods.
10. Disadvantages of a structured
questionnaire:
The format of questionnaire design
makes it difficult for the researcher to
examine complex issues and opinions.
Where the researcher is not present, it's
always difficult to know whether or not a
respondent has understood a question
properly.
11. cont
The researcher has to hope the
questions asked mean the same to all the
respondents as they do to the researcher.
The response rate (that is, the number
of questionnaires that are actually
returned to the researcher) tends to be
very low for postal questionnaires.
12. Interviews
Interviews become necessary when
researchers feel the need to meet face-to-
face with individuals to interact and generate
ideas in a discourse that borders on mutual
interest. It is an interaction in which oral
questions are posed by the interviewer to
elicit oral response from the interviewee or
respondent.
14. Structured Interviews
In structured interview, the
interviewer follows a set pattern
usually adhering as much as
possible to the order of questions
on the interview questionnaire
whilst posing the questions in a
formal manner.
15. cont
The Structured Interviews are formal
because, sets of questions known as interview
questionnaire are posed to each interviewee
visited and the responses are recorded
on a standardized schedule.
Interviewers must always ensure that the
atmosphere of an interview is congenial to
establish interviewer-interviewee rapport.
16. Advantages of structured interview
It enables the researcher to examine
the level of understanding a respondent
has about a particular topic
All respondents are asked the same
questions in the same way. This makes it
easy to repeat (“replicate”) the interview
Provides a reliable source of
quantitative data.
17. cont
• The researcher is able to contact large numbers
of people quickly, easily and efficiently.
• There is a formal relationship between the
researcher and the respondent with the latter
knowing exactly what is required from them in
the interview If, for example, a respondent is
unable or unwilling to answer a question the
researcher (because they are present at the
interview) is aware of the reasons for a failure to
answer all questions.
18. Disadvantages of structured interview
Can be time consuming if sample group is
very large
The quality and usefulness of the information
is highly dependent upon the quality of the
questions asked. The interviewer cannot add
or subtract questions.
There is limited scope for the respondent to
answer questions in any detail or depth
19. cont
There is the possibility that the
presence of the researcher may
influence the way a respondent
answers various questions, thereby
biasing the responses. Like
aggressive interview does not show
the real opinion of respondent .
