Questionnaire Design

To be effective a questionnaire needs both a logical structure and well-thought-out questions. The structure of the questionnaire should ensure that there is a flow from question to question. Any radical jumps between topics will tend to disorientate the respondent and will influence the answers given.

A questionnaire can be divided into different parts:

• An administrative part: date, name, address, etc.
• A classification part: race, gender, age, marital status, occupation etc.
• The subject matter of inquiry (questions).

Objectives of a Question

Dichotomous scale: To find out if the respondent is aware of the issue, for example: ‘Do you know of any plans to build a highway through the Kruger National Park?’ The answer to this question will be yes/no.

Likert scales (e.g. 5 points): To get general feelings on an issue, for example: ‘Do you think the highway should be built?’

In constructing such a question, the respondent can be asked to provide an answer on a rating scale such as:

• To get answers on specific aspects of the issue, for example: ‘Do you think a highway will affect the local environment?’
• To get reasons for the respondent’s view.
• To find out how strongly these views are held.

Requirements to be taken into account when designing a questionnaire:

• Questions must be designed to obtain exact information as directly as possible.
• Questions should not be open to misinterpretation.
• Questions should be short, simple and to the point.
• Questions should not require any calculations.
• Questions should not lead the respondent.
• Questions should not be phrased emotively.
• Questions should not be offensive.
• Adequate spaces for answers are necessary.
• Wherever possible, a choice of answers should be given, or the answers should be short.
• Confidentiality should be assured.

Once the respondents have been selected and the questionnaire prepared, then the two must be brought together to collect the data. Depending on the time and money available, as well as on the sample size and the purpose of the study, a variety of methods can be used.