RESEARCH TOOLS

QUESTIONNAIRE

Questionnaire refers to the device for securing answers to questions by using a form, which the respondent fills by himself. – Goode and Hatt

FORMS OF QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Structured questionnaire consisting of definite concrete and directed questions.
2. Non – Structured questionnaire consisting of partially completed questions or statements. 
3. Closed Form or restricted questionnaire. It calls for short check responses and restricts the choice of response of the respondents.
4. Open Form questionnaire calling for a free response in the respondents’ own words. No clues are provided.
5. Fact questionnaire requires certain information of facts from the respondent without any reference to his opinion or attitude about them.
6. Opinion questionnaire requires opinion or attitude of the respondent regarding some phenomena.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD QUESTIONNAIRE

• It should be as short as possible but yet comprehensive to get the essential information.
• It should contain clear and complete directions.
• Double negatives, double barrelled questions and descriptive adjectives and adverbs should be avoided.
• Adequate alternatives should be provided.
• It should be arranged from simple to complex.
• Avoid embarrassing questions.
• Responses should be such that it can be easily tabulated and analyzed.

Advantages of questionnaire:

1. It is economical in terms of effort and cost.
2. It is easy to plan, construct and administer. A skillfully constructed questionnaire could be administered by anybody.

Limitations of questionnaire

1. It has low validity and reliability.
2. If the sample is biased, then questionnaire will not be good measuring instrument.
3. For incomplete or indefinite response nothing can be done.
4. Behaviours and gestures are left unnoticed.
5. Not appropriate for young children and illiterates.

INTERVIEW
                  It is an oral questionnaire in which the respondent or the interviewee gives the needed information verbally in a face-to-face relationship. It is a two-way method, which permits an exchange of ideas and information. It involves collection of data through direct verbal interaction between the interviewer and the interviewee

TYPES OF INTERVIEW

Based on functions

Diagnostic: It is frequently used in clinics to locate possible causes of an individual’s problem.
Clinical: It introduces a patient to a therapy.
Research: It act as tool to gather data and test hypothesis.

Based on number of participants

Individual: It is conducted in a private setting with one person at a time.

Group: It is conducted to a group with a common problem.
Single interviewer: It is held by a one interviewer.
Panel of interviewers: It is held by panel of interviewers consisting of various experts in the area to be covered.

Based on format of response

Structured: It is rigidly standardized and formal. Same questions are presented in same order to each subject.

Non-Structured: It is conducted informally without a preplanned questionnaire.

Non-directive: It encourages the respondent to talk freely under minimum direct questions
Focused: It concentrates on some particular event or subjective experience.
Depth: It is intensive in nature and is used for studies requiring a detailed account of subject.

STEPS IN THE INTERVIEW

1. Preparation for the interview
2. Conception of the purpose of the interview, kind of interview tool to be used etc.,
3. Establishing rapport
4. Establish a sympathetic contact with the subjects. – a personal relationship.
5. Eliciting Information
6. Secure the desired information through planned questioning with encouraging comments, clarifications and explanations.
7. Recording of responses
8. Use a check list for precoded questions and recording for questions that are not precoded.
9. Interpreting the interview
10. Based on responses make a complete objective analysis.

Advantages of Interview

• Appropriate to deal with young children and illiterates.

• People are more willing to talk than write.
• Sincerity of the respondents can be checked by cross-questioning.
• Exchange of ideas can occur

Limitations of Interview

• It is expensive and time consuming

• Interviewer bias can occur
• It is not suitable for infants, shy people, deaf people and animals.

OBSERVATION
            It seeks to ascertain what people think and do by watching them in action as they express themselves in various situations and activities. It is a more natural way of collecting data, which is more real and true. It is a most direct means of studying people when one is interested in their overt behaviour.

TYPES OF OBSERVATION

Participant observation :  In this type the observer becomes part of the group under observation and shares the situation. It is  more reliable and flexible.

Non-Participant observation It is used in infants, children or abnormal persons. Here the observer takes the position where his presence is least disturbing to the group but where he can observe in detail the behaviour of the group under study.

REQUISITES OF GOOD OBSERVATION

·        Proper planning

·        Define the behaviour or unit to be observed

·        Choose appropriate group to be observed

·        Specify the scope of observation

·        Decide the length of observation

·        Select instruments of recording

·        Get trained in the art of scientific observation

·        Skilful execution

·        Record what is being observed by proper measures

·        Interpreting observation

·        Draw meaningful inferences from the data.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD OBSERVER

1.      Should possess efficient sense organs.

2.      Must be able to estimate rapidly and accurately

3.      Should to alert to observe several details simultaneously

4.      Should be able to control his personal prejudices.

5.      Should be in a good physical condition.

6.      Must be able to record immediately and accurately the results of his observation.

     

      Advantages of Observation

·        It is useful for infants, children and abnormal people.

·        It is useful for assessing significant aspects of personality.

·        Simple observation can be done through physical examination, measurement and comparison with fixed standards.

Disadvantages of Observation

·        Problem of Subjectivity is involved.

·        Establishing validity is always difficult in the case of observation.

·        People being observed may become conscious and behaves unnaturally