RELEVANCE OF QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION IN SOCIAL SCIENCERESEARCH BY : POOJAR BASAVARAJ HEAD, DEPT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE KARNATAK ARTS SCIENCE & COMMERCE COLLEGE BIDAR .KARNATAKA

Relevance of Questionnaire Method of Data Relevance of Questionnaire Method of Data Collection in Social Science Research Introduction - Generally social science researches are based on the information provided by the target population chosen for the analyses. - To conduct research, data are to be collected. There are number of methods to collect data. Ex. Observation method, interview method, schedules method, questionnaire method etc. Out of these methods questionnaire method is commonly in use.

- Designing questionnaire is very crucial and important part of the research. - An inappropriate questionnaire misleads the research, academics and policy making. Therefore a set of adequate and appropriate questions in a sequential order is required in a questionnaire.

What Is Questionnaire ? A questionnaire is a document containing questions and other types of items designed to solicit information appropriate to analyses. Questionnaire is a method used to collect standardised data from large number of people, i.e the same information is collected in the same way. It is used to collect data in a statistical form.

Aspects of Good Questionnaire * It should be short and simple. * Questions should proceed in a logical sequence. * Technical terms and vague expressions must be avoided. * Control Questions to check the reliability of the respondents must be present. * Adequate space for answers must be provided. * Brief directions with regard to filling up of questionnaire must be provided. * The physical appearance of a questionnaire must be good.

Types of Questionnaire Structured : includes pre-coded questions with well defined skipping patterns to follow the sequence of questions Unstructured : includes open ended and vague opinion type of questions Quasi structured : it is a mixture of structured as well as unstructured questions Types of Questions Open-end questions : respondent has to answer subjectively in his own words Closed questions : yes or no type questions Multiple questions : respondent has to choose one of the alternative answers

What to avoid in Framing questions - Questions without objective - Complex language - Ambiguous concepts - Embarrassing questions - Shorter checklist - Long questions - Two in one question - Double barrelled questions - Calculative questions - Longer and vague reference periods - Referring previous questions

Advantages of Questionnaire Method Practical Large amounts of information can be collected from a large number of people in a short period Of time and in a relatively cost effective way Can be carried out by researcher or by any number of people with limited affect to its validity and reliability 4. The results of the questionnaires can usually be quickly and easily quantified by either researcher or through the use of a software package Can be analysed more scientifically and objectively than other forms of research When data has been quantified it can be used to compare and contrast other research and may be used to measure change Positivists believe that quantitative data can be used to create new theories and / or test existing hypothesis

Disadvantages of Questionnaire Method 1.It is argued that this method is inadequate to understand some forms of information – i.e changes of emotions, behaviour, feelings etc. 2. Phenomenologists state that quantitative researcher is simply an artificial creation by the researcher, as it is asking only a limited amount of information without explanation. 3. Lacks validity. 4. There is no way to tell how truthful a respondent is being. 5. There is no way of telling how much thought a respondent has put in.

6. The respondent may be forgetful or not thinking within the full context of the situation. 7. People may read differently into each question and therefore reply based on their own interpretation of the question –i.e What is good to some one may be ‘poor’ to someone else ; therefore there is a level of subjectivity that is not acknowledged. 8. When developing the Questionnaire researcher is making his own decisions and assumptions as to what is and is not important. Therefore they may be missing something that is of importance.

Conclusion -Social science research is the basic to illustrate and predict the human behaviour. The findings of research contribute to policy making and enhancement of the academics. -These findings are based on the answers collected through different questions asked to the sample population. -Naturally dubious and inconsistent questions produce ambiguous and inharmonious answers that result in futile analyses and incoherent outcome of the research.

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