Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a primary purpose of quantitative research?
What is a primary purpose of quantitative research?
Which of the following is NOT a step in conducting a questionnaire survey?
Which of the following is NOT a step in conducting a questionnaire survey?
What is a disadvantage of using questionnaires for research?
What is a disadvantage of using questionnaires for research?
Which type of question asks respondents to share their beliefs or feelings?
Which type of question asks respondents to share their beliefs or feelings?
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What is an advantage of utilizing web-based questionnaires?
What is an advantage of utilizing web-based questionnaires?
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Identifying the survey topic is the first step in a questionnaire survey. What follows this step?
Identifying the survey topic is the first step in a questionnaire survey. What follows this step?
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Which of the following is an example of self-perception type questions?
Which of the following is an example of self-perception type questions?
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What is often a reason for a low response rate in questionnaire surveys?
What is often a reason for a low response rate in questionnaire surveys?
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What type of question allows respondents to impose their own feelings onto others?
What type of question allows respondents to impose their own feelings onto others?
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What is a drawback of using unstructured questions?
What is a drawback of using unstructured questions?
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Which of the following is an example of a dichotomous question?
Which of the following is an example of a dichotomous question?
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What type of response scale uses predetermined units of measurement to reflect opinions?
What type of response scale uses predetermined units of measurement to reflect opinions?
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Which question type typically presents a set of bipolar adjective pairs for rating?
Which question type typically presents a set of bipolar adjective pairs for rating?
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Which format is recommended for ensuring that respondents can rank preferences without confusion?
Which format is recommended for ensuring that respondents can rank preferences without confusion?
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Which is a potential advantage of structured questions over unstructured ones?
Which is a potential advantage of structured questions over unstructured ones?
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What is a characteristic feature of contingency questions?
What is a characteristic feature of contingency questions?
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Study Notes
Developing Research Instruments
- Research instruments are crucial for gathering data in quantitative research.
- The goal is to collect precise and accurate data reflecting the study's situation.
Learning Outcomes
- Selecting appropriate data analysis tools and models.
Quantitative Research
- Quantitative research involves counting or measuring data.
- Often uses statistical tests to identify or confirm trends.
- Aims for clear-cut, precise, and accurate results.
- Questionnaires are a common tool in quantitative research.
Questionnaire Survey - Steps
- Define the problem/survey topic.
- Use previous research and expert advice.
- Define research questions and objectives.
- Define the study population and sample size.
- Develop a preliminary questionnaire.
- Pretest the questionnaire.
- Include a cover letter.
- Provide stamped and self-addressed envelopes.
- Send follow-up letters for non-respondents.
Types of Questionnaires
- Web-based
- Group
- Interview
Questionnaire - Advantages
- Broad coverage (local, national, international).
- Anonymous answers.
- Economical for large populations.
- Less time-consuming.
- Quantitative data (easy to analyze).
- Flexible completion times for participants.
- Easy for respondents to complete.
- Suitable for sensitive or ego-related questions.
- Used to gather unique data that is difficult to obtain.
Questionnaire - Disadvantages
- Unclear or ambiguous questions cannot be clarified.
- Low respondent motivation.
- Poorly worded or direct questions.
- Unattractive formats or style.
- Low response rates.
- Potentially inaccurate responses due to lack of verification.
- Limited options for responses in some questionnaires.
- Difficulty in uncovering causes or relationships related to attitudes or beliefs.
Type of Questions
- Factual: Gathering information about age, gender, education, experience (useful for investigating relationships).
- Informative: What respondents know about a specific topic. (e.g., How do you come to know about the availability of e-journals?).
- Attitudinal/Opinion: Getting information on respondents' beliefs, feelings, or values (e.g., Do you agree that the current copyright law is fair?).
- Self-perception: Allowing participants to compare their ideas or actions with others (e.g., How active are you in community work?).
- Standard of Action: Determining how respondents will act in a situation. (e.g., Will you vote in the next election? Would you join an organ donation society?)
- Projective: Respondents answer by imposing their feelings, beliefs, or attitudes on others. (e.g., Are most Singaporeans quitters or stayers? Are students happy with the grading scheme?)
Structured/Unstructured Questions
- Unstructured: Open-ended questions that allow free replies.
- Helpful in exploratory studies but hard to analyze.
- Often used to explore many facets of a problem (e.g., what steps are needed to improve National Service?).
- Usually have low response rates.
Structured Questions
- Dichotomous: Yes/no, true/false, agree/disagree.
- Multiple Choice: Respondents choose from a range of provided answers.
- Contingency: Questions dependent on prior responses.
- Used to qualify respondents before following up with another question (e.g., using databases through iGems?)
Scaling Responses
- Likert-type Scale: Numerical ranking based on a continuum with predetermined units of measurement (e.g., How important is ...? Very important, Important...).
- Semantic Differential Scale: Bipolar adjective pairs for rating (e.g., How would you rate the income tax staff? Excellent/Poor, Efficient/Inefficient).
- Rank-order or Comparative Ranking Scale: Respondents rank responses according to importance (e.g., What sources do you prefer for term reports? Rank books, encyclopedias...).
Question Placement
- Start with easy, non-threatening questions.
- Questions should follow a logical flow related to the topic.
- Sensitive questions should be asked only after trust has been established.
- Difficult questions placed later.
- Personal data (age, gender, qualifications, and experience) should be asked at the end.
Mapping Survey Questions
- Link research objectives to specific survey questions.
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Description
This quiz covers the essential aspects of developing research instruments for quantitative research. It includes the steps for creating questionnaires and highlights various types of data collection methods such as mail and web-based surveys. Test your knowledge on selecting the right tools to ensure accurate data collection.
