Questionnaire Drafting

Before framing the questionnaire it is very essential to set out in detail the data which we desire from the answers to questionnaire. It will be wise if we can construct the type of tables which we would like to obtain from the enquiry. It may not always be possible to set out all the possible data we would like, in advance as many things may be learn in the course of enquiry and one may find that what he believed to be ideal was not in analyzing. The results must be called in at the very early stage. For e.g., it may not be very proper for a government statistician to economist to analyze. The wise thing is to consult the economist first on what kind of data is desirable.

The success of the questionnaire technique of collecting the information depends largely on the proper drafting of the questionnaire. The Drafting questionnaire is a highly specialized  and requires a great deal of skill and experience. It is difficult to lay down any hard and fast rules followed in this connection. However the following normal principles may be helpful in framing a questionnaire.

Covering letter

The person conducting the survey must introduce himself and explain the objective of the survey. It is desirable that

(i) A short letter is enclosed. The letter must state in as few words as possible, the aim of the survey and how the informant would tend to benefit from it.

(ii) Enclose a self- addressed stamped envelope for the respondent's convenience in returning the questionnaire.

(iii) Assure the respondent that his answers will be kept strictly in confidence.

(iv) Promise the respondent that he will not be solicited after he fills up the questionnaire.

(v) If possible offer special inducements like free coupons, gifts, and concession etc. to return the questionnaire.

Number of questions must be small:

The number of questions must be kept to the minimum & precise. The number of questions included would naturally depend on the object and scope of the investigation. 15 to 25 may be regarded as a fear number. If a lengthily questionnaire is unavoidable, It must preferably be divided into two or more parts.

It must be noted that there is an inverse relationship between the length of a questionnaire and the rate of response to the survey. The longer is the questionnaire the lower will be the rate of response, the shorter the questionnaire the higher will be the rate of response possible and each question shall be essential to the survey in addition. The Questions must be free from ambiguities.

Question must arrange logically:

The questions must be arranged in a logical order so that a natural & spontaneous reply to each is included. They must not skip back & forth from one topic to another. Thus it is really undesirable to ask a man how many children he has before asking whether he is married or not. Thus the sequence of the questions must be considered carefully in terms of the aim of the study. Such questions must usually be placed at the end of the list. The two different questions queued differently be included on the same subject to provide cross- check on important points.

Questions must be short and simple to understand:

The questions must be short and simple to understand unless the person being interviewed is technically trained & the technical terms must be avoided. Words like capital or income that has different meanings for different persons must not be use unless a clarification is included in the question.

The Ambiguous questions ought to be avoided, this means different things to different people will not be possible to obtain comparable replies form respondents who take a question to mean different things.

For e.g.: Consider the following question:

Do you smoke: yes or no?

There are many ambiguities in this question. It is not clear whether the desired response pertains to cigarettes, pipes, cigars or combinations, therefore it is also not clear whether occasional smoking or habitual smoking was the primary concern of the question. If we are concerned only in current cigarette consumption it would be better to ask.

How many cigarettes do you currently smoke every day?

Less than 5

5 to 9

10 to 14

15 to 19

20 and above.

Personal questions must be avoided as far as possible questions of a personal and pecuniary nature should not be asked. For e.g. question about income, sales-tax paid etc, may not be willingly answered in waiting where such information is essential it should be obtained by the personal interviews even than such questions must be asked only at the end of the interview, when the informants feel more at case with the interviewer.