1. Data collection – questionnaires and surveys

2. Aims of the session
To understand the different types of questionnaires/surveys
To decide on a sampling strategy for your surveys
To be aware of how to design an effective questionnaire
To explore the use of Survey Monkey

3. Quick recap
What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?
What is meant by validity and reliability?

4. Selection of participants or sampling

5. Sampling methods Opportunity sample
Selecting those people that are available
Volunteer sample
Ask for people wanting to take part
Random or probability sample
Draw names out of a hat
Systematic sample
Selecting every 10th person on a list
Stratified sample
Selecting equal boys and girls

6. Ethical issues to consider:
Rights of privacy of individuals
Voluntary nature of participation
Has consent been given
Confidentiality of data provided
Data collection methods
Data analysis and reporting
Behaviour and objectivity of the researcher

7. Design a questionnaire

8. Questionnaires
A questionnaire is a set of questions designed to collect information about a topic
What do you want to find out?
How does this fit into your research objectives?
How will you analyse the data obtained?

9. What are the advantages & disadvantages of questionnaires?

10. Advantages of questionnaires?
Economical – can give a large amount of data for low cost (materials, time, money)
Easier to arrange than interviews
Supply standardised answers as respondents are posed exactly the same questions
Encourages pre-coded answers

11. Disadvantages of questionnaires?
Pre-coded questions can be frustrating and can deter them from answering
Pre-coded questions can bias findings towards the researchers view rather than the respondent’s viewpoint
Low response rates from postal questionnaires
??Truthfulness of the answers

12. When is it appropriate to use a questionnaire?
Large data
Straight forward information
Open climate to allow full and honest answers
Need for standardised data without needing face-to-face interaction
Time allows for inbuilt delays to obtaining data

13. Routine essentials for a questionnaire design?
Who is the sponsor/author?
What is its purpose – what is the information for and how will the information be used?
Return date and address/contact
Confidentiality statement
Thanks for completion

14. Length of the questionnaire
Only ask those questions which are vital for the research
Weed out any duplicate questions
Make completion as straightforward and speedy as possible
Pilot the questionnaire to see how long it takes to answer and to iron out any problems/ ambiguity

15. Writing good questions
Short / Clear / unambiguous
Single questions
Free from bias / no leading questions
Open v closed questions
Not open to misinterpretation
Logical ordering
? Space to answer open-ended questions
Easy to analyse / can be cross-analysed
? Use of controlled conditions

16. Asking questions in the right way
How satisfactory was your experience of the parents evening?
What is your place of residence
Some people say that the council is spending too much on building new schools. Do you agree or disagree?
Do you think schools should spend more class time on reading and maths?
What is your age?
Is the time given for reading in school adequate?
To what extent is the school spending too much time on phonics
What do you think of the OfSTED good practice guide on Maths in Primary Schools?

17. Some examples to review
Questionnaires
Some examples to review

18. X More top tips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53mASVzGRF4
Only ask questions that are relevant to your research

19. Online surveys Survey monkey www.surveymonkey.com/ Google forms

20. Questionnaires
Start to design questions that you could use to collect data for your research
Try them out on your neighbour to see if they obtain the answer that you were expecting!
What other factors would you need to consider when you are planning to conduct a questionnaire / survey?