How do you design a questionnaire?

A study tool or performance measure is essential in scientific research, so the questionnaire is the most important tool in collecting data from the study sample. Questionnaire design can help increase the quality of the data you collect.

Definition of the questionnaire 

There are several definitions that illustrate the questionnaire, namely:

• The questionnaire is: “A set of written questions answered by the respondent which are two types either restricted or free”
• The questionnaire is: “A set of questions formulated by the scientific researcher in an orderly manner, and then asked to a group of carefully selected individuals and termed as (study sample), the goal is to collect data and information, and study them to reach conclusive results on the problem of the study”

 Rules to consider in questionnaire design 

In questionnaire design, there are different rules that should be followed by the researcher. If the researcher carefully followed the rules of questionnaire design, he will be able to produce a questionnaire with high quality questionnaire design. Questionnaire design should be done step by step with the supervisor to ensure avoiding all errors that may occur. Questionnaire design should be coordinated with a statistician to ensure that the questionnaire design is free from statistical errors. In addition to that, after finishing the questionnaire design, the researcher should show the questionnaire design to other academic expert to ensure that the questionnaire design is good. The following are the main rules to be considered in the questionnaire design:

• The questionnaire questions should be easy to carry more than one meaning and can be clearly understood according to research variables and research aspects.
• To start the questionnaire questions from easy and difficult according to research variables and research aspects.
• All questions should indicate a specific aspect according to the research variables and research aspects.
• Avoid too many questionnaire questions according to research variables and research aspects.
• Avoid questionnaires that require open answers according to research variables and research aspects.
• Avoid complex questionnaire questions that are difficult to answer according to research variables and research aspects.

 Steps to questionnaire design 

• Identify the objectives of the questionnaire questions and points that will be addressed according to research variables and research aspects.
• Identify the areas (axes) to be addressed by the questionnaire questions according to the research variables and research aspects.
• Formulate questionnaire questions to revolve around objectives and research aspects.
• Conduct a preliminary study of the questionnaire questions.
• Determination of the validity of the questionnaire questions and stability by statistical methods.

 How to prepare the questionnaire 

The procedures for preparing the questionnaire are as follows:

• Determine the nature of the information and data required:

Information and data are determined according to the objectives and hypotheses of scientific research.

• Determination of the study sample:

This is a group of subjects representing the study population, and this sample should clarify the characteristics of the subject of scientific research, for example in the case of studying the problem of speech delay in children, the researcher should choose the appropriate age group for this; in secondary schools, they should choose the sample shown for the data that the researcher wishes to infer, so that the results do not appear distorted.

• Design of the questionnaire:

After completing the previous stages, the researcher formulates the questionnaire questions, taking into consideration that the questionnaire questions are coherent and clear for the examiners, while avoiding the questionnaire questions with complex structures, as well as questions embarrassing personal questionnaire that the respondents may avoid answering, as well as the researcher should uses optional questions that show the credibility of the answer.

• Arbitration questionnaire in scientific research:

This is by offering a questionnaire to the scientific experts to express their opinion on their effectiveness in obtaining the information that the scientific researcher would like to collect. This can be done by comparing the subject of scientific research with the questions asked by the researcher in the questionnaire, as well as the researcher can use the previous questionnaires formulated by previous researchers. In the same subject of scientific research, with the addition of the notices of the amendments to give positive direction.

• Final questionnaire procedure:

This is the last stage, where the researcher or the student put the questionnaires to the subjects, and then collect them.

 What are the methods to carry out the questionnaire 

• Direct communication with the study sample:

In this way, the researcher puts the questionnaires to the study sample, and waits until the answer is completed and collects them. This method ensures that all the papers are presented without losing any of them, with the possibility of clarifying some questionnaire questions that are difficult for the respondents to understand during the answer.

• Send the questionnaire by mail:

 This method is used if the study sample is located far from the researcher, where it is sent by mail, and after the respondents answered it, it is returned again in the same way, and although this method saves the cost and the trouble of traveling from one place to another.

• Using the electronic questionnaire:

It is a new method of conducting the questionnaire, and emerged as a result of the availability of modern technological tools through which the questionnaire can be sent to the respondents, and the way is to disseminate the questionnaires through social networking applications or websites, and this method is simple in sending and collecting questionnaires, but it has the possibility Knowledge of the examiners of computer mechanisms and techniques.

• Using advertising media:

Such as newspapers, magazines, radio or satellite channels

 Questionnaire scale 

Any component should have a scale to answer the questions, a scale is the weight to answer the questions. Scale can be determined by the researcher according to the type of the question. There are many scales that can be used in questionnaire. The researcher should conduct a review of different scales, and decide on the scale that best suit the questionnaire. The scale should be carefully selected to ensure that the scale is suitable for the questions.

 Watch: Designing a Questionnaire - statistics help 

With greetings: Al - Manara Consulting to help researchers and graduate students