Questionaire Flashcards
What type of method is questionnaires
Primary method
Define questionnaire
A list of standardised, pre set written questions that respondents are requested to complete themselves
2 Types of questions used
Open and closed questions
Define open questions
Ppt answer question in their own words
What type of data does open questions gather
Qualitative
Define closed questions
Fixed choice answers
What type of data does closed questions gather
Quantitative
Define the imposition problem
When the rest her imposes their own values, attitudes or thoughts onto the ppt
How can you avoid the imposition problem
Clear and neutral language should be used and leading questions should be avoided
What is the operationalising concept
Translating concepts into a form which can be measured. The question must mean the same to all the ppts so that their answers can be directly compared
How can u ensure question are operationalised
Ensure that words and phrases are precise and that answers are put into measurable categories
Practical issues strengths
- quick and easy
- high reliability = standardised and large sample
- high representative = large sample however can be lowered via poor response rates
Ethical issue strengths an weaknes
- Easy to follow ethical guidelines but when done it can be impersonal for sensitive issues
- imposition problem may occur = lower validity
- may make ppts feels pressured to answer in a certain way especially if they use lending questions
- explain how it can be overcome
Theoretical problems
- favoured by positivist
- quantitative, reliable and representative
- critiqued by interpritivist for locking verstehem
- link to closed question being limiting and validity
- link to understanding wider society
Evidence for practical issues
The British attitude survey - annual survey, made up of questionnaires to be completed by around a random sample of 3000 people asking what its like to live in Britain
