Page 81 - DLIS401_METHODOLOGY_OF_RESEARCH_AND_STATISTICAL_TECHNIQUES

Methodology of Research and Statistical Techniques

Notes Since responses are not really ordered, analysis requires considerable time and effort. It may
be difficult to measure and classify responses. Responses may be off base because there is
inadequate guidance from the instrument itself.
Close-ended Questions
These questions provide specific answer choices although there may be an “other” value with
brief space for adding an additional value. With close-ended questions, there is always the
possibility that the right question will not be asked and valuable information will not be
gathered. GIGO certainly applies here.
Ordered
Ordered close-ended questions require respondents to select a particular response. The responses
are easily selected. They take little time, at least by most respondents.
These questions require well defined variables and values. They work best when there are a
small number of reasonable answer possibilities.

Unordered
Unordered questions ask respondents to rank values and are useful for identifying priorities.
Requires well defined variables and values. Unordered close-ended questions are not reliable
if there are more than five values. Most respondents find ranking after one or two values to
be difficult.

Notes Criteria for ranking must be clearly identified and the order of the values must
make sense to the respondent.

Partially close-ended
These questions may be ordered or not, but they do include the “other” option which adds
some flexibility and provides the opportunity to add information not otherwise captured by
the instrument.
More flexibility may mean better and more valid responses. New values may be selected from
the leading “other” values, but this will make analysis more challenging

Number of Values
Close-ended questions may be categorized by the number of values. Two value questions are
dichotomous. These questions are easy to ask and are quickly answered. Analysis is straight-
forward and quick.
However, two alternatives are usually not enough. Some times, respondents will select the
first value so the ordering of the values has some impact. Each value must be exclusive. The
researcher must know the notable alternatives.
Multiple choice questions [more than two values]are also easy to analyze, but do require more
time and effort. These questions require more time and effort by the respondent. Typically,
respondents tend to choose from the top or middle of the list.
Wording Questions
Audience
The first step is to visualize the audience. Next ask two questions:
1. How are these people likely to respond to particular words and phrases?
2. What are they likely to know and be familiar with?

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