Question

List five factors considered when constructing a research questionnaire.

Answers

GPT-4o
When constructing a research questionnaire, it's important to consider several factors to ensure that the data collected is valid, reliable, and meaningful. Here are five key factors:

1. **Clarity and Simplicity of Questions**: Questions should be clear, concise, and easy to understand. Avoid complex or technical language that could confuse respondents. Ensure that each question addresses one specific issue to prevent ambiguity.

2. **Question Format**: Decide on the type of questions that will best capture the desired information. Common formats include multiple-choice, Likert scale (e.g., agree/disagree), open-ended, and ranking questions. The choice of format should align with the research goals and the kind of data analysis planned.

3. **Avoidance of Bias**: Questions should be neutrally worded to avoid leading respondents towards a particular answer. It's essential to design questions that allow for honest and unbiased responses, avoiding any wording that could influence the respondent’s answers.

4. **Logical Flow and Order**: The questionnaire should follow a logical sequence, starting with less sensitive or easier questions to build rapport and ending with more complex or sensitive ones. Group similar topics together to make the questionnaire coherent and easier for respondents to follow.

5. **Pilot Testing**: Before finalizing the questionnaire, conduct a pilot test with a small subset of the target population. This helps to identify any issues with question wording, clarity, and overall structure. Feedback from the pilot test can be used to make necessary adjustments to improve the questionnaire's effectiveness.

Incorporating these factors can significantly enhance the quality and reliability of the data gathered through a research questionnaire.