Questionnaire
Also called: Interview schedule · Topic: Economic Data: Census, NSS, Surveys and Statistical Tools · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Collection of Data"; Class 11, Ch 8 "Use of Statistical Tools"
Meaning
A questionnaire is the list of questions used in a survey. The respondent may fill it in personally (self-administered). When a trained enumerator asks the questions and records the answers, the form is called an interview schedule. A good questionnaire:
- is short and clear
- moves from general to specific questions
- avoids ambiguous words, double negatives and leading questions (questions that hint at the answer)
- does not suggest alternatives
Example
A poor question is "Do you spend a lot of money on books?" A better version gives ranges, such as below Rs 200 or Rs 200-300. Similarly, ask "Is the water supply regular?" before asking "Is the tariff hike justified?"
Don't confuse with
- Survey: the survey is the whole method of gathering information. The questionnaire is the tool used within it.
Related concepts
- Primary data
- Secondary data
- Survey
- Variable
- Observation
- Enumerator
- Informant
- Closed-ended question
- Open-ended question
- Leading question