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Designing Surveys and Questionnaires : Qualities of a Good Question

Source : StatPac Inc (1997-2007 http /www .statpac .com /surveys /question-qualities .htm

The StatPac Inc . website enumerates and explains the different qualities of a good question . I have learned that a good question (1 ) evokes the truth (2 ) asks for an answer on only one dimension (3 ) can accommodate all possible answers (4 ) has mutually exclusive options (5 ) produces variability of responses (6 ) follows comfortably from the previous question (7 ) does not presuppose a certain state of affairs (8 ) does

br not imply a desired answer (9 ) does not use emotionally loaded or vaguely defined words (10 ) does not use unfamiliar words or abbreviations (11 ) is not dependent on responses to previous questions and (12 ) does not ask the respondent to or rank a series of more than five items . StatPac Inc . further explains that a question must be non-threatening and it should encourage the respondents to produce honest truthful answer by maintaining anonymity to protect their identity and to state policy on confidentiality , especially when the questions contain sensitive issues . Quantifying adjectives in questions unfamiliar abbreviations as well as vague , complex , and assumptive anticipative , subjective , and suggestive questions should be avoided They should be simple , exclusive , clear , correct or appropriate , and provide meaningful information . There should also be organization categorization , and smooth transition between items in to make it easier for respondents to think , contemplate , and analyze their ideas Multiple choice items with various responses are generally better and more efficient than open-ended questions . It is important that a question includes all possible responses to prevent respondents develop the feeling of confusion and frustration . Ranking by importance and assigning a percentage to a series of items should be avoided especially when it exceeds five items , because it is difficult and it makes the answers become less reliable . These guides should be considered before formulating the questionnaire ...