Questionnaire Design

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Week 5 – Discussion 1

 

Questionnaire Design

Using the textbook, required articles and recommended resources, construct a 5-6 item questionnaire on a topic of your choice. Your questionnaire can include either open-ended or closed-ended (fixed format) questions. Submit your completed questionnaire to this discussion forum.

Be sure to consider the following when responding:

1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the questionnaire overall?

2. Consider how the items are worded and the response choices, if applicable, are provided.

a. Are the questions clear and concise?

b. Are there any questions that are vague or unclear?

c. If applicable, are the response choices effective?

d. Is there only one correct response choice?

e. Are there any unintentional cues to the correct answer?

f. Do the items appear to be a good measure of what the student is wanting to assess?

3. How could the questionnaire be improved?

 

Resources

Required Text

Malec, T. & Newman, M. (2013). Research methods: Building a knowledge base. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. ISBN-13: 9781621785743, ISBN-10: 1621785742. Chapter 4: Survey Research-Describing and Predicting Behavior

Required References

Benedict K (2014, April 11). Correlation – The Basic Idea Explained [Video file]. Retrieved from  Correlation – The Basic Idea Explained (Links to an external site.)

Diem, K. G. (2002). A step-by-step guide to developing effective questionnaires and survey procedures for program evaluation & research. Available at  http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/publication.asp?pid=FS995 (Links to an external site.)

Mariampolski, H. (2001). Qualitative vs. quantitative. Qualitative Market Research, 22-25. SAGE Publications Ltd. doi: 10.4135/9781412985529.n13

Rice, G. T. (2005). Developing high quality multiple-choice test questions. Available at 

Smith, Lara (2013, November 18). Correlation Basics [Video file]. Retrieved from  Correlation Basics

 

Introduction: Methods and Instruments

In Week 5, you will examine the types of sampling methods and instruments that are commonly used in qualitative and quantitative research. Through the week’s readings and discussions, you will explore the various sampling methods used in both qualitative and quantitative research, as well as evaluate the advantages and limitations of each method. Sample size, representativeness and sample bias will also be reviewed with respect to participant selection. You will also explore instrumentation and the potential biases involved in particular instruments. You will also examine a correlational analysis and identify variables.

You should consider the following questions before and during the reading and assignments this week:

1. How does a researcher know how many participants to include in the study?

2. How are participants selected for a particular study?

3. How can sample sizes affect the validity of a study?

4. What are some of the biases associated with sampling in qualitative and quantitative research?

5. What types of instruments are used for qualitative and quantitative research?

6. What are some of the biases associated with instrumentation in qualitative and quantitative research?