Preparation of Questionnaire (Statistics)
Complete Notes for JKSSB, SSC, Banking, UPSC, State PSC & Other Competitive Examinations
PREPARATION OF QUESTIONNAIRE
Introduction
A Questionnaire is a systematic list of carefully designed questions prepared by an investigator to collect information from respondents regarding a particular problem or study.
It is one of the most widely used methods of primary data collection in statistics and social research.
The success of any survey depends largely on the quality of the questionnaire. A poorly designed questionnaire leads to inaccurate, incomplete, and biased data.
Definition
Questionnaire is a written document containing a series of questions arranged logically to obtain reliable and relevant information from respondents.
Meaning of Preparation of Questionnaire
Preparation of a questionnaire refers to the process of designing questions in such a way that respondents can easily understand and answer them accurately.
It includes:
Selecting relevant questions
Choosing suitable languageArranging questions logically
Avoiding bias
Testing before final use
Objectives of Preparing a Questionnaire
To collect accurate data.
To collect relevant information.
To reduce errors.
To save time and cost.
To make data analysis easier.
To obtain unbiased responses.
To increase response rate.
Characteristics of a Good Questionnaire
A good questionnaire should possess the following characteristics:
1. Simple Language
Questions should be easy to understand.
Example:
Correct:
What is your age?
Not:
Mention your chronological age.
2. Short and Precise
Questions should not be unnecessarily lengthy.
3. Relevant Questions
Every question should relate to the objective of the survey.
4. Logical Sequence
Questions should move from general to specific.
5. Non-Biased
Questions should not influence respondents.
Incorrect:
Don't you think online education is the best?
Correct:
What is your opinion about online education?
6. Specific Questions
Questions should have only one meaning.
Incorrect:
Are you educated?
Correct:
What is your highest educational qualification?
7. Avoid Difficult Words
Use common vocabulary.
8. Limited Number of Questions
Too many questions reduce response rate.
9. Attractive Layout
A neat format improves participation.
10. Confidentiality Assurance
Respondents should be assured that their information will remain confidential.
Steps in Preparation of Questionnaire
Step 1: Define Objective
Clearly determine what information is required.
Example
Study:
Students' internet usage.
Objective:
Collect information regarding daily internet usage.
Step 2: Identify Respondents
Determine who will answer.
Example
Students
TeachersFarmers
Employees
Step 3: Decide Type of Questions
Questions may be
Open-ended
Closed-endedMultiple-choice
Rating Scale
Step 4: Frame Questions
Questions should be
Clear
ShortSimple
Step 5: Arrange Questions
Order:
Personal Information
↓
General Questions
↓
Specific Questions
↓
Opinion Questions
↓
Suggestions
Step 6: Design Layout
Include
Title
InstructionsNumbering
Space for answers
Step 7: Pilot Survey (Pre-testing)
Test questionnaire on a small sample before actual survey.
Purpose
Detect mistakes
Improve clarityRemove confusing questions
Step 8: Final Revision
Correct all errors before final distribution.
Types of Questions Used in Questionnaire
1. Open-ended Questions
Respondent writes answers freely.
Example
Why do you prefer online classes?
Advantages
Detailed information
New ideasDisadvantages
Difficult to analyze
2. Closed-ended Questions
Fixed answers are provided.
Example
Gender
□ Male
□ Female
Advantages
Easy analysis
Quick response
Disadvantages
Limited information
3. Multiple Choice Questions
Example
How do you travel to college?
A. Bus
B. Bike
C. Car
D. Walking
4. Dichotomous Questions
Only two responses.
Example
Do you smoke?
Yes
No
5. Rating Scale Questions
Example
Rate the quality of teaching.
Excellent
Good
Average
Poor
Example of Questionnaire
Study
Students' Mobile Phone Usage
Personal Information
Name (Optional)
Age _______
Gender
□ Male
□ Female
Questions
Do you own a smartphone?
□ Yes
□ No
How many hours do you use your phone daily?
□ Less than 2
□ 2–4
□ 4–6
□ More than 6
Main purpose of phone use
□ Study
□ Social Media
□ Gaming
□ Entertainment
Do you use educational apps?
□ Yes
□ No
Which educational app do you use most?
Do's While Preparing Questionnaire
✔ Keep questions simple.
✔ Use clear language.
✔ Arrange logically.
✔ Ask one thing at a time.
✔ Test questionnaire.
✔ Ensure confidentiality.
✔ Number all questions.
✔ Keep questionnaire short.
Don'ts While Preparing Questionnaire
❌ Avoid personal questions unless necessary.
❌ Avoid double-barrelled questions.
Example
Do you like your teacher and classroom?
(Two questions in one)
❌ Avoid leading questions.
Example
Don't you agree Home Academy provides the best notes?
❌ Avoid ambiguous words.
Example
Do you study regularly?
(Regularly means different things for different people.)
Advantages of Good Questionnaire
Accurate data
Reliable information
Easy analysis
Saves time
Saves money
Large coverage
Less interviewer bias
Limitations
Low response rate
Misunderstanding of questions
No opportunity for clarification
Incomplete answers
Unsuitable for illiterate respondents
Importance in Statistics
A properly prepared questionnaire helps in
Primary data collection
Census surveys
Sample surveys
Market research
Population studies
Educational surveys
Government surveys
Social research
Difference Between Good and Poor Questionnaire
| Good Questionnaire | Poor Questionnaire |
|---|---|
| Simple language | Difficult language |
| Short | Very lengthy |
| Logical order | Random order |
| Clear questions | Confusing questions |
| Objective | Biased |
| Relevant | Irrelevant |
| Easy to answer | Difficult to answer |
Competitive Examination Points
Questionnaire is a primary data collection method.
Questions should be simple, short, clear, and unbiased.
Pilot survey is conducted before final use.
Questions should be arranged in logical sequence.
Avoid leading and double-barrelled questions.
Confidentiality increases response rate.
Open-ended questions provide detailed information.
Closed-ended questions are easier to analyze.
Questionnaire is suitable for literate respondents.
A good questionnaire improves accuracy and reliability of data.
Memory Tricks
Characteristics of Good Questionnaire
SMART
S – Simple
M – Meaningful
A – Accurate
R – Relevant
T – Tested
Steps of Preparation
DO-FAT
D – Define objective
O – Organize questions
F – Frame questions
A – Arrange logically
T – Test (Pilot Survey)
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. A questionnaire is mainly used for:
A. Data analysis
B. Data collection
C. Classification
D. Tabulation
Answer: B
2. Questionnaire is a method of
A. Secondary data
B. Primary data
C. Census only
D. Estimation
Answer: B
3. Which is the first step in preparing a questionnaire?
A. Pilot survey
B. Define objective
C. Coding
D. Tabulation
Answer: B
4. Questions should be
A. Difficult
B. Long
C. Clear
D. Technical
Answer: C
5. A leading question should
A. Be encouraged
B. Be avoided
C. Be compulsory
D. Be repeated
Answer: B
6. Pilot survey is conducted to
A. Increase cost
B. Detect errors
C. Waste time
D. Advertise survey
Answer: B
7. Closed-ended questions are
A. Difficult to analyze
B. Easy to analyze
C. Never used
D. Only descriptive
Answer: B
8. Questionnaire is suitable mainly for
A. Illiterate persons
B. Literate respondents
C. Animals
D. Machines
Answer: B
9. Double-barrelled questions should be
A. Included
B. Avoided
C. Repeated
D. Compulsory
Answer: B
10. Logical sequence improves
A. Confusion
B. Response quality
C. Cost
D. Delay
Answer: B
Statement-Based MCQs
1.
Statement I: Questions should be arranged logically.
Statement II: Logical order improves response quality.
A. Both statements are true and Statement II correctly explains Statement I.
B. Both statements are true but Statement II does not explain Statement I.
C. Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
D. Both are false.
Answer: A
2.
Statement I: Leading questions influence respondents.
Statement II: Therefore, they should be avoided.
A. Both true and II explains I.
B. Both true but II does not explain I.
C. I true, II false.
D. Both false.
Answer: A
3.
Statement I: Pilot surveys are conducted before the final survey.
Statement II: They help identify errors and improve the questionnaire.
A. Both true and II explains I.
B. Both true but II does not explain I.
C. I true, II false.
D. Both false.
Answer: A
4.
Statement I: Open-ended questions provide detailed responses.
Statement II: They are easier to analyze statistically than closed-ended questions.
A. Both true.
B. Statement I true, Statement II false.
C. Statement I false, Statement II true.
D. Both false.
Answer: B
5.
Statement I: A questionnaire is mainly used to collect primary data.
Statement II: A well-designed questionnaire increases the reliability of collected data.
A. Both true and II supports I.
B. Both true but unrelated.
C. I true, II false.
D. Both false.
Answer: A
Home Academy Exam Booster (One-Liner Revision)
Questionnaire: Written list of questions used to collect primary data.
First step: Define the objective of the survey.Ideal language: Simple, clear, and unbiased.
Question order: General → Specific → Personal (if needed).
Pilot Survey: Conducted before the final survey to detect errors.
Avoid: Leading, ambiguous, and double-barrelled questions.
Best for: Literate respondents.
Open-ended: Detailed responses but difficult to analyze.
Closed-ended: Limited responses but easy to code and analyze.
Golden Rule: A good questionnaire is Simple, Relevant, Logical, Unbiased, and Tested (SMART).