1 Questionnaire design Module 3 Session 3

2 Overview (of Session) This session starts by introducing some aspects that need to be considered when designing a questionnaire. Participants then have the opportunity to: explore further ideas develop a questionnaire for a particular purpose.

3 Session Learning Objectives At the end of the session participants will: recognise the importance of clear objectives in a study be able to develop questions to address objectives know what is required to be able to structure a questionnaire effectively.

4 Ugandan National Household Survey (e.g. UNHS2) The 2002/2003 UNHS survey collected data on: approx.50,000 individuals 9700 households 970 communities

5 Ugandan National Household Survey (e.g. UNHS2) Households Info. collected about household members Age Sex Schooling status etc. Info. collected about households Housing conditions – type of roof, etc. Household condition - what fuel used for lighting etc. Household consumption expenditure Info. collected about community Health facility within 3 km Bank within 10km

6 Part of UNHS2 questionnaire

7 Some considerations when designing a questionnaire Good questionnaire design takes time. There are many aspects to consider e.g. layout, how many and which questions, pilot testing, etc. Here we discuss a few aspects. Later in the session you will consider some more.

8 Some considerations when designing a questionnaire Study purpose must be clear… … so that questionnaire can contain correct questions for addressing objectives … and so that correct summary tables can be produced that address the objectives. At the planning stage it important to ensure that all the essential questions are included, and that they are well-structured so that good quality data can be collected.

9 Some considerations when designing a questionnaire Different types of objective, e.g. What is rate of unemployment in population? (simple estimation) What proportion of farmers participate in local co-operative system, and how they compare with those who do not? (relates farmer characteristics to programme) A study can have more than one objective, or one type of objective.

10 Some considerations when designing a questionnaire Are the question variables numeric / categorical / ordered categorical ? Q: What age is the head of the household? Q: What is the household income per week? Q: Do you participate in the local co-operative? Q: How long does it take to get to school ? 1 = less than 30 minutes, 2 = mins etc.

11 Some considerations when designing a questionnaire Is the information best collected using a multiple choice question? Q: Do you own a … (tick as many as are appropriate) Car Bicycle Boat etc.

12 Some considerations when designing a questionnaire Do you need to use skip questions Q: Was the person sick in the last 30 days Yes No If yes, give reason (tick as appropriate) Malaria Respiratory infection Diarrhoea

13 Some considerations when designing a questionnaire. Questions must be clear, simple and unambiguous. e.g. Compare previous question with: Q: What illness did the person suffer from in the last 30 days if they were sick? How do you interpret no response (blank) ?

14 Some considerations when designing a questionnaire Coding must be clear and consistent. e.g. Yes / No always coded 1=Yes, 2 = No (or always coded 0=No, 1=Yes). Units must be clearly stated, and understandable. e.g. yield of crop measured in… what units?

15 Some considerations when designing a questionnaire Organisation of questionnaire Household and Household member information on different questionnaires (or sections of questionnaire) Different modules – Education, Health, Household Expenditure etc.

16 Some considerations when designing a questionnaire Organisation of questionnaire Most important questions come first. Make sure you have enough questions to answer objectives, and a few extra (just in case you need them). Dont have unnecessary questions.

17 Activity Read one of two papers. In two groups, prepare a presentation to the rest of the group on the content of your paper.

18 Activity In small groups, of 3 or 4, draft a short questionnaire with no more than 10 questions on: What is the opinion of participants on this course on the likely effects in Uganda of global warming. Identify one or two tables that you would want to present once the data have been collected.