TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES OF RESEARCH QUESTIONAIRES AND SCORE CARD
Introduction
When a researcher forms
hypotheses he must went to collect data as the next step , to test the
hypotheses and to answer the questions . Many different methods and procedures have been developed to aid in the acquisition
of data . The method of collection of data
depends mainly upon the nature purpose and the scope of inquiry on one
hand the availability of resources and time on the other.
The problem does not arise
if secondary data are to be used . When we need primary data we have to use
different methods,tools and techniques like questionnaire, openionnaire,
sociometry , interview schedule, etc. Each tool is particularly appropriate for
certain sources of data , yielding information of the kind and in the form that
can be most effectively used.
Questionnaire
Questionnaire is the structured set
of questions . It is described as a “A document that contains a set of
questions , the answers to which are to be provided personally by the
respondents.” It is a device for
securing answer to questions by using from which the reaspondent fill by
himself . It is the most flexible tool in collecting both quantitative and
qualitative information.
A
questionnaire cannot be judged as good or bad , efficient or inefficient unless
the job it was intended to accomplish is known. Developing a questionnaire
requires a certain amount of technical knowledge. The researcher must decide
the points like method of data collection , procedure to be followed in
approaching the respondent order of sequence of questions structured vs
unstructured questions while framing a questionnaire.
Scope of Questionnaire.
1. When
very large samples are desired .
2. Cost
have to be kept low.
3. The
target groups who are likely to have high response rates are specialized.
4.
Ease of administration is necessary.
5.Moderate
response rate is considered satisfactory .
It has been
used for wide range of problems like ;
1.The
problem of teacher training .
2.
Administrative difficulties ,
3. suitability
of the curriculam.
4. Method
of teaching.
5 Study
habits
6. Testing
of achievements.
7. Duties
difficulties of teachers.
8.Rating of
school textbooks, etc .
Charecteristics of A Good Questionnaire.
1. It deals
with an important or significant topic so that it enthuses respondent to give
response. Its significance is carefully stated on the questionnaire itself.
2. It seeks
only that data which cannot be obtained
from the resources like books reports and records .
3.It is as
short as possible because long questionnaire are frequently thrown away into
the waste
paper –basket.
4.It is at
the same time as much comprehensive as necessary so that it does not leave out
any relevant and crucial information.
5. It is
attractive in appearance, neatly arranged and clearly duplicated or printed .
6.
Directions are clear and complete , important terms are clarified each question
deals with single idea and is worded in simple and clear manner as possible and provide an opportunity for
easy accurate unambiguous response.
7.The
questions are objective with no clues ,hints or suggestions as to the responses
desired . Leading questions are carefully avoided .
8.Questions
are presented in good psychological order proceeding from general to more
specific responses.
9. The
offending annoying or embarrassing questions have to be avoided as far as
possible.
10. Items
are arranged in categories to ensure easy and accurate responses.
11.
Descriptive adjectives and adverbs that have no agreed up on meaning are
avoided .
12. Double
negatives are also avoided.
13. The
questions carry adequate number of alternatives .
14. Double
barreled questions or putting two questions in one questions or putting two
questions in one question are also avoided.
15. It is
easy to tabulate summarize and interpret.
Various Forms of
questionnaire
Questions in the questionnaire may vary
with respect to a number of criteria.
1.Primary,
Secondary and Tertiary Questions
On the basis of the nature of information elicited questions
may be classified as primary , secondary, and tertiary . Primary questions
elicit information directly related to the research topic.
Secondary questions elicit
information which do not relate directly to the topic , ie, the information is
of secondary importance.
Tertiary questions only
establish a frame work that allows convenient data collection and sufficient
information without exhausting or biasing the respondent.
2. Closed
–ended and open –ended questions
The closed- ended are the fixed
choice questions. They require the respondent to choose a response from those
provided by the researcher . It is easy to fill out, takes less time keeps the
respondent on the subject is relatively
more objective , more acceptable and convenient to respondent and is
fairly easy to tabulate and analyse.
The open-ended type questions which respondents to answer in
their own words. The subject reveals his mind gives his responses . This type
of item is some times difficult to interpret, tabulate and summarize in the
research report.
3.
Structured and non- structured questions
The
structured questions contains definite concrete and direct questions where as
non – structured may consist of partially compleated questions or statements . A non-
structured questionnaire is often used
as the interview guide which is non –directive. The interviewer posses only a
blue print of the enquires and he is largely free to arrange the from or
statements of the questions.
Steps In Questionnaire Construction
Questionnaires
are constructed in a systematic manner .The process goes through a number of
interrelated steps. They are;
1.
Preparation; The researcher thinks of various items to be covered in the
questionnaire and arrangement of these
items in relation to another .
2.
Constructing the first draft; The researcher formulates a number of questions
including all types of questions.
3. Self
evaluation; The researcher thinks about relevance systemtically, clarity in
language, etc.
4. External
evaluation; The first draft is given to
one or two experts/ colleges for scrutiny
and suggestions for changes.
5. Revision
; After receiving suggestions some questions are eliminated some changed and
some questions are added .
6. Pre –
test or pilot study; A pre test is undertaken to check the suitability of the
questionnaire as a whole .
7. Revision
; The minor and major change may be made on the
basis of experience gained in pre- testing.
8. Second
pre –testing ; The revised questionnaire is then subjected to a second test and
amended if necessary.
9.
Preparing final draft; After editing ,checking ,spelling , space for response ,
pre coding, the final –draft is prepared.
Administering Questionnaire
It
can be administered in several ways;
1. Self
Administered questionnaire
; there are two type of self administered questionnaires . They are
a) Self administered questionnaires in the presence of the researcher ; The
presence of a researcher is helpful in that it enables any queries or
uncertainties to be added immediately
with the questionnaire designer .
b) Self-
administered questionnaire without the presence of the researcher; Absents of
the researcher helps the respondents to
complete the questionnaire in private by devoting as much as time in familiar
surroundings. It can be inexpensive to operate .
2) Postal
questionnaires ; The postal questionnaire is the best form of survey
in an educational inquiry . In postal questionnaire use good quality envelop ,
typed and addressed to a named person wherever possible , also first class
rapid postage service to send the questionnaire . Also enciose a first class
stamped envelope for the respondent’s reply.
3. Telephone
; In this respondents can be contacted at their convenient time even in the
evening. It can be recorded in machine.
4.Internet
; It is conducted with the help of the help computers .It can be administered
only between those persons both of them have computer and internet facility.
Advantages of Questionnaire
1. It has
greater potentialities when it is properly used otherwise progress in many
areas of education would be greatly
handicapped.
2. It is
economical way of collecting information to educaters.
3.It
permits a nation wide or even
international coverge.
4. it can
cover a large group at the same time .
5. It is
easy to plan construct and administer .
6. Once it
has been constructed skillfully the investigator may ask anybody to administer
it on his behalf.
7.
Confidential informations often may be obtained more readily by means of
questionnaire.
8. It
places less pressure on the subject for immediate response .
9. It helps
in focusing the respondent’s attention
on all the significant items.
10.It may
be used as a preliminary tool for conducting a depth study later on by any
other method.
Limitations of
Questionnaire
1. The
mailed questionnaires can be used only for educated people also restricts the
number of respondents .
2. The
return rate of questionnaire is low.
3. The
mailing address may not correct which may omit some eligible respondents .
4.
Sometimes different respondents interpret questions differently .
5. The
researcher is not present to explain the meaning of certain concepts the
respondent may leave the question blank.
6. It does
not provide an opportunity for collecting additional information.
7. The
respondent can consult others before
filling in the questionnaire this response cannot be considered as his own
views.
8. There is
a lack of depth or probing for a more specific answer.
SCORE CARD
The score card , similar is some respects to the check list helps for the appraisal of a
large number of aspects. Score card is the most elaborate form of rating
instruments often called a numerical rating scale. In score card the items are
evaluated usually in numerical terms .The score card rating may yield a total weighted score that can be used in
the evaluation of the objects observed.
Score card are frequently
used in evaluating communities , building –sites , schools or textbooks .
Accrediting agencies some times use the score card to arrive at an over all
evaluation of school. It is also employed in evaluating socio- economic status
of a family and the worth of any literary or educational work or institution ,
type of neighbor hood , home ownership, number of books in the library
occupations of parents ,etc.
The rater
is provided with a general standard of criteria in detail and he has to react
to and rate only a single unit of the total situation at a time. Usually a
number of raters are employed and their
scores combined and averaged .
The limitations
of the score card are similar to those
of the rating scale. It is difficult to choose , identify and quantify
the significant aspects of the factors observed . Besides there is the
suspicion that the whole of a thing may be greater than the sum of its parts.
For certain intangibles never lend themselves to score card ratings.
CONCLUSIONS
Educational
data or the data for research work are collected by use of many devises , among
them the questionnaire stands at the primary place. A properly constructed and
administered questionnaire may serve as a most appropriate and useful data
gathering device. Like that another tool for the appraisal of the data
,ie,score card helps to evaluate items in numerical terms.
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