Self-administered questionnaires
When using a Likert scale with a long list of items, it is usually better to:
Arrange the answers horizontally, in abbreviated form
List the answers vertically, for each consecutive item
Omit any instructions about how to select an answer
List all questions on one page and all answers on another
Arrange the answers horizontally, in abbreviated form
However, bearing the previous question’s discussion in mind, when we present longer lists of items (like attitude statements, perhaps), we should set out the range of responses for each sub-element of the question horizontally. Following the rule of making our questions as clear and as unambiguous as we can, we find that Likert-scale questions work better when they are set out horizontally. Instructions must be given for the provision of responses for these, as for other types of question and it does not make a great deal of sense to have the questions section separated from the answers section for self-completion questionnaires.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 227,228
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 227,228
Arrange the answers horizontally, in abbreviated form However, bearing the previous question’s discussion in mind, when we present longer lists of items (like attitude statements, perhaps), we should set out the range of responses for each sub-element of the question horizontally. Following the rule of making our questions as clear and as unambiguous as we can, we find that Likert-scale questions work better when they are set out horizontally. Instructions must be given for the provision of responses for these, as for other types of question and it does not make a great deal of sense to have the questions section separated from the answers section for self-completion questionnaires.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 227,228
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 227,228
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Corti (1993) makes a distinction between two types of researcher-driven diary:A. Valid and reliable diaries
B. Quantitative and qualitative diaries
C. Structured and free-text diaries
D. Open or closed answer diaries
The ‘time-use’ diary can provide quantitative data about:
A. The amount of time respondents spend on certain activities every day
B. The subjective meanings that concepts of ‘time’ have for different people
C. The way respondents make sense of their life stories in narrative form
D. The historical significance of clocks, watches and other devices for measuring time
In order to identify response sets in a Likert scale, you could:
A. Pre-code all items consistently from 1-5
B. Reverse the scoring of pre-coded answers
C. Only include items about socially desirable behaviours
D. Include explicit instructions to respondents not to deceive you
One of the advantages of self-completion questionnaires over structured interviews is that:
A. They are quicker and cheaper to administer
B. They create interviewer effects
C. They have greater measurement validity
D. They are less prone to inter-coder variation
Why is it generally better to present fixed choice answers in vertical rather than horizontal form?
A. It takes up less space on the page
B. It encourages respondents to choose more than one answer
C. It allows questions to be spread over more than one page
D. It makes the layout of the questionnaire more clear and unambiguous
One advantage of using diaries in quantitative research is that:
A. There is a reduced risk of attrition, as respondents tend to be highly motivated
B. They are likely to elicit data about sensitive issues or deviant activities
C. They highlight the thoughts, feelings and experiences that are unique to each respondent
D. None of the above
Which of the following steps can be taken to improve response rates to postal questionnaires?
A. Write a personalized covering letter to introduce the research
B. Enclose a stamped addressed envelope with a postal questionnaire
C. Send out polite reminder letters
D. All of the above
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