1. Stat-472 Survey design Questionnaire Design Issues Format and Layout, Question Format, TDM

2. Format and Layout Layout: should be clear, neat and easy to follow  Give each question a number  Make a cover sheet  Add the Time, Date of interview  Questionnaire identification Number Good layout improves accuracy There are two format or layout issues: 1.The overall physical layout of the questionnaire 2.The format of questions and response

3. A few cents saved in postage or printing will ultimately cost more in terms of lower validity due to a lower response rate or of confusion of interviewers and respondents.  Give respondent instructions  Print instruction in different style from the questions  Always end with “Thank You for your participations”  Questionnaire should leave the respondent with a good feeling

4. Question Format Researcher should decide on a format for the questions:  Circle responses, Check box, Fill dot, put an X in a blank  Listing responses down page  Use arrows and instructions for contingency questions  Use Matrix questions for a series of questions

5. Visual aids are also helpful. For example, hand out thermometer-like drawings to respondents when asking about how warm or cool they feel

6. A matrix question(or grid question) is compact way to present a series of questions using the same response categories. It saves space and makes it easier for the respondent or interviewer to note answers for the same response categories

7. example Do you think it is too easy or too difficult to get a divorce, or it is about right? [ ] Too Easy [ ] Too Difficult [ ] About right Horizontal [ ] Too easy [ ] Too Difficult [ ] About Right Vertical

8. Matrix Questions StronglyAgreeAgreeDKDisagreeStronglyDisagree [ ] The Teacher Talks too Fast [ ] I learned a lot in this class [ ] The tests are very easy [ ] The teacher tells many jokes [ ] The teacher is organized

10. Total Design Method (TDM) Developed to improve mail and telephone surveys by theoretical and practical parts. The theory says: a survey is a social interaction in which respondents act on the basis of what they expected to receive in exchange for their cooperation (they cooperate when social costs are low, the expected benefit exceeds the perceived costs and when researchers create a feeling of trust.) The practical parts repeats the advice given here about good question wording and questionnaire design. pilot testsminimizepersonal costsand required minimal effort and time to respondentbuilds a trust A good survey design has pilot tests, minimize personal costs, and required minimal effort and time to respondent and builds a trust with the respondent