Structure 1. Online questionnaire question types: An overview 2. Activity: Exploring question types 3. Review: Lessons for successful online questionnaire design

Question types Main types of web form controls: Choosing predetermined options... Radio buttons Checkboxes Select boxes

Question types 2 Main types of web form controls: Open response questions: Text boxes Text areas

Question types 3 Can be grouped or used creatively to create different question types or to copy common types from paper-based questionnaires. E.g. Question grids:

Question types 4 Programming (validation routines) can be added to ensure questions are answered in particular ways. E.g. Continuing is only possible if a response is given Responses must be of a particular types (e.g. Numbers in a certain range)

Activity: Question types http://wads.le.ac.uk//gg/orm/timingform.htm Complete each question (with a genuine response) and press the stop buttons to record the time taken. Press ‘Finish’ then ‘Compare times’ to see the time taken by others who have completed the activity What were the main issues affecting completion times? 10 mins

Review : Lessons for successful online questionnaire design Discuss your findings and report back... 5 mins

Review : Lessons for successful online questionnaire design – some suggestions Evaluation and testing is vital Make questions as simple as possible (bearing in mind target audience and research needs) Use open response questions with care – participants can quit with a single (double) click! Use validation with care and only when absolutely necessary to avoid drop out. If validation is used, make sure that instructions are clear 5 mins