Before formulating a good question category, the researcher needs to know what data to collect and from whom to collect it. Questionnaire formulation, as an art, requires reservations and skill. With sharp intelligence, sound and general knowledge, and enough experience, success in question framing is easy in many parts.
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Besides, the following features or principles must be considered:
- Cover letter:
The informant must introduce the conduct of the survey and clearly state the purpose and content of the survey. It can also be done by attaching a personal letter to the question class. A sincere request for assistance should be made to the person who can provide the information. The inquirer must be guaranteed that the information requested in the inquiry category will remain private.
- Do not ask direct personal questions:
It is advisable to avoid all questions that reveal personal or confidential information. Because an informant is unwilling to answer these questions. Questions must be asked in strategic terms.
- Instructions to the informant:
The interviewer should give some instructions to the informant so that he is able to give the answers easily and understandably.
- A sufficient number of questions should be asked:
The informant should ask enough questions so that he does not understand what information is actually being sought.
- Questions should be divided into:
For the sake of both the respondent and the surveyor, questions should be divided according to their purpose.
- The format of questions should be appropriate:
The questions written in the questionnaire should be arranged in a logical way, as random questions may lead to suspicion.
- Basic inquiries:
The interviewer may become impatient if the questions are not presented in an appealing, straightforward manner. For this reason, questions should be short, simple, and easy.
- Conciseness:
In open-ended questions, questions should be spaced in such a way that the questions are structured in such a way that they can be answered by yes or no statements.
- Clarity:
The selection’s questions need to be understandable and straightforward. No question expressing contradictory meaning shall be allowed to be added. If so, it will defeat its real purpose.
- Questions should be asked informally:
If the style of questions is casual, the interviewer is able to answer in a simple and interesting way.
- All inquiries should be relevant
Hypothetical questions are worthless as they do not capture the real facts.
- Comprehension:
It is important for questionnaires to be simple enough for someone with a general understanding to complete.
- Questions to be asked on a time-wise basis:
Depending on educational qualifications and experience, time-wise questions may be modified as per the requirement.
- Counting the number of questions:
Count the number of questions asked and the number of answers received.
- Footnote:
If a question is difficult to understand, use the footnote to clarify it.
Finally, it can be said that the questionnaire should be fairly interesting and concise. Question papers with answers can be shown as answers to the question paper and its supporting documents. So if questions are designed carefully keeping in mind the relevant features, its purpose will be successful.
