Questionnaire Method of Data Collection: An Overview

A questionnaire is a research instrument utilized to gather information from respondents and includes a set of questions and potential answers printed or typed in a certain order on a form.
The subjects of the surveys are often sent or distributed by postal service along with a demand for their replies.
It is expected that informants will read the questions thoroughly, understand them, and offer their answers in the space designated on the actual questionnaire.
The written format of the questionnaire transforms the relevant information into a series of questions that informants can and will answer.

Characteristics of a Good Questionnaire

The qualities of effective questionnaires include the following:
It needs to be a well-written list of inquiries.
To pique respondents’ attention, the questionnaire should include a relevant or interesting subject.
The only information which can not be discovered elsewhere should be searched for.
It must be as detailed and succinct as it is practical.
It ought to be appealing.
Directions must be precise and comprehensive.
It needs to be structured mentally in a logical sequence, ranging from general to specific responses.
Avoid using double negatives in your inquiries.
Another thing to avoid is combining two questions into one. Every inquiry should aim to uncover just one particular piece of information.
It should be created with the intention of gathering data for analysis in the future.

Two types of questions may be posed:
Closed-ended or restricted inquiries require the respondent to select a response from a list of possibilities, react with a yes or no, or cross items off a list.
The tabulation and compilation of restricted questions are simple.
Unrestricted inquiries are open-ended and provide respondents the chance to express any thoughts and sentiments about the subject that are significant to them.
Unrestricted questions make it difficult to tabulate and assemble data, but they also provide respondents the chance to express their true feelings.
It is preferable to stick with a few questions that can be measured if the goal is to get data from all responses.
If you want to study the intensity or range of emotions, you can create a scale to measure such sensations.

Commercial firms, government agencies, people, groups, and NGOs frequently employ questionnaire methodologies in order to get information from consumers, customers, or the broader public.
Questionnaires are the most important part of primary surveys.

All responders receive the exact same questions in surveys, which is one of their biggest advantages.
It is an inexpensive strategy, regardless of the size of the universe.
Respondents are free from the prejudice of the interviewer since they answer the questions on their own terms.
Participants are given enough time to think about their responses.
Due to its vast coverage, it is possible to contact respondents in far-off locations readily.

The questionnaire has a significant risk of gathering erroneous and incomplete data since it’s possible that some respondents won’t be able to comprehend the question properly.
High non-response rates are seen.