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Methodology of Social Research

notes Questionnaire is a list of many question related to the subject or the problem, which researcher sends
to the informant through mail and informant returns it after filling it. Since questionnaire is sent to
the informant through mail, hence it is also be known as mailed questionnaire. Many a time it may
also be distributed among the people. At present questionnaire method is used quiet a lot for public
poll, market survey and social financial survey etc.

13.1 Meaning and Definition of Questionnaire

Various scholars have defined questionnaire as follows:
As per Pope, “a questionnaire may be defined as a group of questions which informant has to answer
without the personal help of a researcher or an enumerator.”

Notes As per Bogards, “questionnaire is a list of questions sent to be answered by
various people”.

As per Goode and Hatt, “generally, by the word questionnaire “in general, word questionnaire refers
to a tool to find answers to questions, in which a form is used which the respondent fills himself.”
As per Wilson Gee, “questionnaire is a convenient process of obtaining information in a limited
amount, from people in large numbers or from a smaller group, whose members are spread in a
detailed area.”
As per Hsin Pao yeng, “in its easiest form questionnaire is such a schedule which is sent by post to
the people selected as sample.
From the above-mentioned definitions it’s clear that questionnaire is a list of questions related to
any study subject, which is sent to the informant through post and which the informant fills himself
and returns.

13.2 objectives of Questionnaire

Mentioning the objectives of questionnaire method Garden Kept has written that questionnaires are
built for accurate transmission and accurate answers. Correct transmission is only possible when
informant understands the purpose of study and accurate answers can also be obtained when, desired
information is obtained and help is received from them in making the table and analysing the subject.
the main objectives of questionnaire are as follows: 1. Compiling information from people spread in
wide, huge, diverse and expansive form.2. Compiling authentic and credible information 3. systematic
compilation of information. 4. for subjective study. 5. for leaving unnecessary facts. 6. Less expenditure
7. Quantitative titration 8.simultaneous and quick compilation of information.

13.3 Types of Questionnaire

on the basis of formulation of questions, subject-matter, nature of questions etc, questionnaires may
be divided into various types. Which type of questionnaire should be used where, this depends a
lot on the characteristics of the respondent and area. Lundberg, P.V. Young, Goode and Hatt, Selitz,
Jahoda and their associates have mentioned the various types of questionnaires. P. V. Young, on the
basis of nature of questions has mentioned open or closed questionnaires, on the basis of structure of

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