Meaning of questionnaire : The list of questions related to the subject that are selected for the statistical research is called a questionnaire. It is sent through post to the respondents, and the questions are answered by themselves.
Both questionnaire and schedules have lots of questions but the main difference between the two is that in questionnaire, informers themselves give the answer of the questions, whereas in a schedule the enumerator asks the questions from informers.
The difference between questionnaire and schedule are the following:
1. Questionnaire is used in broad areas whereas schedules are used in limited areas.
2. Questionnaire are used by only literate persons whereas schedules are used by both literate and illiterate respondents.
3. In questionnaire, the answers of the questions written by the informants are present whereas schedules are written by enumerators.
4. The questionnaire is sent by post to the respondents, while the enumerator’s carry the schedules for filling to the respondents.
5. Money and time are saved in the questionnaire, method, while the schedule takes more time and money.
6. In the questionnaire, the answer is given by respondents at their own discretion. In schedules in order to understand the questions, the help of the enumerator is obtained.
The main qualities of a good questionnaire are the following :
- Introduction : In this questionnaire the investigator should introduce himself and make the objective of the survey clear to the informant. The informant should be assured that the information provided by him will be kept secret.
- No. of Questions should be less : The number of questions in the questionnaire should be as few as possible keeping in view the nature of information desired. It also does not mean that the questions are so few that the purpose of research cannot be achieved.
- Questions should be easy and clear : The questions should be straightforward and clear, so that the person giving the information can easily understand them and answer the questions correctly. Do not ask equivocal questions.
- Questions should be in logical sequence : The questions given in the questionnaire should be in the proper order so that there is no unnecessary delay in answering.
- Questions should elicit brief answers : The questions should be such that can answered briefly. If it is so that the answer is yes or no, it is very good.
- Nature of the questions :
Following are the nature of the questions.
1. Questions of one choice : Those questions whose answer are in yes/no or right/ wrong woman/men, etc.
2. Multiple-choice questions : These questions are multiple choice, which may have many possible answers. All possible answers are given in the questionnaire. The informants marks the correct answer from them.
3. Specified questions : These questions are meant to get specific information about the informants. For example. What is your income? What is your educational qualification? How many boys and girls do you have? etc.
4. Open questions : There are such questions whose pointer has to express their thoughts in relation to any problem. E.g. In your opinion, is census appropriate on ethnic basis? Is it right to give MP / MLA funds in your opinion?
- Taboo question : The questionnaire should not ask such questions, which hurt the informant’s self-esteem, religious sentiments. Such as: dark sickness, husband-wife relationship. The question should not be such that the informer has doubts, provocation or resistance in the mind.
- Question should be related to investigations : The questions asked in the questionnaire should be directly related to the investigation.
- Format of questionnaire : The format of the questionnaire should also be done in a proper manner so that enough space is available for the informants to write the answers.
- Verification of truth : There should also be questions in the questionnaire which can verify the truth of the answers.
- Necessary instructions : In order to answer the questions given in the questionnaire, necessary instructions should be given at the beginning or end of the questionnaire, which will help the informants in answering questions correctly.
- Questions according to ability : The question should be as per the ability of the informants so that the informants do not have any difficulty in answering the questions.
