1. Research Methods in Politics 10
Questionnaires
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10

2. Teaching and Learning Objectives
1. to understand the special characteristics of questionnaires and where they are best used
2. to consider how questionnaires should be structured, designed, tested and coded
3. to discuss how questionnaires can best be ‘administered’
4. to discuss issues of personal safety
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10

3. Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10
Our researchers with Public Opinion are content
That he held the proper opinions for the time of the year;
When there was peace, he was for peace;
When there was war, he went.
W. H. Auden (1940) The Unknown Citizen
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10

4. Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10
Questionnaires
pre-designed lists of closed questions with pre-designated alternative answers
large representative samples
administered
face-to-face
remotely by telephone
self-administered by mail or internet
designed and coded for computer analysis
declining response rates
access to respondents
motivation
effective questionnaire design
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10

5. Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10
Access
sample frame
sampling method
random
nth address
random walk
quota sample
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10

6. Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10
Motivation
appeals to
altruism
public or personal benefits
reciprocity
trust in researcher
approach, manner
reputation of university ID
authentication
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10

7. Effective Questionnaire Design
limited number of questions
short, simple, unambiguous, plain English
no leading questions
don’t knows
no replies
sequence critical: sensitive questions last
classifier questions at end
proxy-indicators
show cards
scaling attitudes
many pilots
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10

8. Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10
Scaling Attitudes
semantic differential
Likert Scale
Guttman scale
Bogardus social distance scale
scale rating
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10

9. Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10
Personal Safety Do
carry ID
carry mobile phone
stay is sight of colleagues
daylight
personal alarm
public places
notify police
Don’t
accept invitations
harass or hinder people
stand in doorways or other private places
get involved in arguments
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10

10. Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10
coding
codes
scoping
generic codes
recording responses
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10

11. Questions for Discussion or Assignments
Pilot the exhibit questionnaire (why are the British so anti-EU? ) on at least two members of the public (not students). What improvements would you suggest and why?
You are asked to test the hypothesis that age and education strongly influence the likelihood of electors voting in general elections. You must use a questionnaire. Identify the sample frame. Devise a quota sample for on-street survey. Design, test and revise a questionnaire of no more than twelve questions. Administer the questionnaire to ten members of the public in the main shopping street. Comment critically on your experiences as a questionnaire writer and questioner
Discuss critically the claim that questionnaires can measure people’s attitudes and beliefs
4. Most of the national opinion polls published in the lead-up to the 1992 UK general election wrongly forecast the outcome. Critically assess the various explanations given.
Research Methods in Politics Chapter 10