RESEARCH NOTES
DESIGNING A QUESTIONNAIRE
excluded. This will answer the commonly asked questions: “Did I miss any important questions in the questionnaire?”, “Should I include/exclude this particular question?”
Asking the “right” questions
Now that you have developed the conceptual framework and you know exactly what questions you want to ask, it is time for you to design the questions in such a way that it is valid and reliable. The researchers have to brainstorm and come up with the preliminary questions.
Close- vs open-ended questions
These questions can be in the form of “close-ended” or “open-ended” questions (Table 1a). “Close-ended” questions provide options to the respondents and require them to choose one or more items from the list. “Open-ended” questions allow the respondent to express their opinions freely and they are not restricted by the options. The former is preferred if the range of answers are well known and the options are limited; the latter is preferred if the answer options are multiple and unknown. The answers to the open-ended questions require re-grouping before analysis.
Options/choices
The options available for each question should be as exhaustive as possible. This will ensure the respondent can find an option which best suits his answer. In order to determine the possible options, the researcher needs to brainstorm, review related published research, discuss with experts and if necessary, conduct a focus group discussion among the target respondents. To allow other possible options, the researcher can include an “Other: please specify ________” category as one of the options.
When assessing factual knowledge, it is important to include “Don’t know” as one of the responses as not all respondents may know the answer to the question. By not providing the option, the researcher is “forcing” the respondent to make a choice by guessing.
Filtering
In a questionnaire which has many parts, some of which need not be answered by the respondent, filtering is used to guide the respondent to answer only the relevant questions. (Table 1b) However, you should avoid using too much filtering as this may confuse the respondents and make the questionnaire complicated.Table 1. Asking the “right” questions
1a Closed-ended questions
Did you experience cough and cold in the past 6 months?
Yes No
Think of the last time you had cough and cold. Did you consult a doctor?
Yes No
Open-ended questions
What is/are the main reason(s) for you to consult a doctor for your cough and cold? (You can list down more than one reason)
1b. Filtering
Think of the last time you had cough and cold. Did you consult a doctor? Yes No
If No, please go to Question 14.
1c. Sensitive questions
It is common for people to ask for antibiotics when they have cough and cold. Did you request for an antibiotic from the doctor for your cough and cold?
Yes No
1d. Likert scale
We should always consult a doctor for cough and cold. (Please circle the answer)
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| Strongly disagree | disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree |
1e. “Double-barreled” questions
Did you experience sore throat and fever during your cough and cold?
Yes No
Should be:
Did you experience sore throat during your cough and cold?
Did you experience fever during your cough and cold?
Or:
Did you experience the following symptoms during your cough and cold? (You can tick more than one box)
Sore throat Cough Fever
1f. Ambiguous Questions
How often do you visit the doctor for cough and cold?
| Not at all |
Not very often |
Sometimes |
Quite often |
| Very often |
Change to:
How many times did you visit the doctor for cough and cold in the past 1 year?
_________ times in the past 1 year