A
B
C
D
E
F
G
1
5
10
STUDY AND WRITING SKILLS
24
2.5
STUDY SKILLS
DESIGNING A QUESTIONNAIRE
1
Questionnaires are used to gather data for
surveys and reports. They usually provide up-to-date
information or find out people’s attitudes
and behaviour.
1
If you have answered a questionnaire recently, what
was it about?
2
Which organisations frequently use questionnaires to
gather information?
3
Which of the following are you most likely to
answer: postal, telephone, or online questionnaires?
Why?
2
2.5
Listen to a lecturer giving a presentation
about questionnaires. Answer the questions.
1
What two key points does she mention about
designing questionnaires?
2
What two types of question are mentioned?
3
Which type of question will provide more
information?
3
Listen again and complete the sentences. Use a
maximum of three words for each sentence.
1
Short questions are better because if you ask long
ones, people won’t bother
.
2
Open questions allow people to answer
.
3
With closed questions, the person answering
has
.
4
It takes a lot longer to analyse the answers to
.
5
When using open questions, it is important to ask for
only one
.
6
Questions should be clear and well structured so
that people can see the point
.
7
At the start of a questionnaire, you should
ask
.
8
When designing a questionnaire, you need to look
ahead and consider how you’re going to
.
4
a
Question types
Look at extracts A–G from a
questionnaire and match them with the descriptions 1–7.
Descriptions of question types
1
Closed questions requiring the answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
2
Questions which require a respondent to indicate
how frequently they do something.
3
Questions requiring respondents to tick items in lists
or boxes.
4
Questions requiring a choice between alternatives.
5
Questions which require a figure or limited number
of words.
6
Open questions beginning with
what
,
who
,
why
,
etc.
7
Questions which require the respondent to choose a
number on a scale.
What department are you in?
Howmany students are in your class?
Tick the boxes which apply to you.
1
undergraduate
£
postgraduate
£
other
£
2
course
£
research
£
Do you feel stressed during your studies?
Yes
£
No
£
Put a cross (
O
) on the scale to indicate your
level of stress.
(1 = no stress, 5 = average stress, 10 = very stressed)
What do you think are the main causes of stress
for students?
Which would you prefer?
a
fewer course assignments and more tests and
examinaƟons
b
fewer tests and examinaƟons and more course
assignments
How oŌen do you feel stressed? Circle the
appropriate leƩer.
a
never
b
rarely
c
someƟmes
d
oŌen
e
always
4
b
Work with a partner and discuss the advantages
and disadvantages of using each type of question.
