Kamaljit Caulton Strategic Research Team Questionnaire Design

The process Define your objectives Decide on data required Write questions Review & test Collect results and analyse The process

Why are you creating the questionnaire? Who is your demographic/sample? What do you hope to accomplish with the questionnaire? How will you use the data you are collecting? What impact do you hope to make with the results? Define your objectives

What specific information do you want to gain? Be methodical Can you get any data from other sources? Is this the best method to gather data? How will you use specific data? Decide on data required

Use closed ended questions where possible Keep it clear, focussed and short Use language that your audience will understand Provide clear instructions Ensure a logical order Writing questions

Types of questions to avoid: double negatives biased/leading questions double-barrelled questions questions that make assumptions Writing questions

Double negative - example Do you think that libraries should not provide IT facilities to residents? YesNo Writing questions

Leading question - example Do you think that vulnerable, older adults should continue to receive the popular and useful Ring and Ride service? YesNo Writing questions

Double-barrelled question - example Do you think that your local park is safe for adults and children? YesNo Writing questions

Question that makes an assumption- example Do you find the Birmingham City Council smartphone app useful? YesNo Writing questions

Demographic Writing questions Question types

Protocol 1 Writing questions What is your ethnic group? White English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British Any other White background (write in) Asian/Asian British Black African/Caribbean/Black British Other ethnic group (write in)

Protocol 1 Writing questions What is your ethnic group? White English/Welsh/Scottish/Northern Irish/British Irish Gypsy or Irish Traveller Any other White background (write in) Mixed/multiple ethnic groups White and Black Caribbean/African White and Asian Any other Mixed background (write in) Asian/Asian British Indian Pakistani Kashmiri Bangladeshi Chinese Any other Asian background (write in) Black African/Caribbean/Black British African Caribbean Any other Black/African/Caribbean background (write in) Other ethnic group Arab Any other ethnic group (write in)

Writing questions Question types Choice A Choice B Choice C Other Multiple choice

Which of the following facilities did you use at the library during the last six months? (Tick all that apply) Computers Book lending Events for children (e.g. story-telling sessions) Events for adults (e.g. job fairs) Other (please specify)…………………………………… Writing questions Multiple choice

Rating scales Writing questions Question types 

How satisfied are you with the self service facilities at your local library? Very satisfied Satisfied Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied Dissatisfied Very dissatisfied Writing questions Rating scales

Comment/essay box Writing questions Question types

What do you think about the Birmingham library? Writing questions Comment/essay box

How do you think customer service could be improved at your local library? (250 words max.) Writing questions Comment/essay box

Review and test Are the questions easy to understand? Do the responses make sense? Is the order logical? Check for bias Test for timing

Review and test Get others to test it

Online collection – Be Heard facility, – Survey Monkey etc In person Post Quantitative analysis Qualitative analysis Collect results and analyse

Other considerations Introduction Number of responses – impact on analysis and statistical indication Do you need more than one questionnaire for different groups (e.g. children and adults)? Timing – consider your audience Send reminders Confidentiality and anonymity Other considerations

The process Define your objectives Decide on data required Write questions Review & test Collect results and analyse The process

Any questions?