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Unit-13: Questionnaire Construction, Mailed Questionnaire

similarly to know that where will you like to live—in a village or a city. to know its answer notes
pictures of village and city are made. Investigation and classification of answers of such
questionnaires can easily be done.
8. Mixed Questionnaire: such questionnaire carries the characteristics of all the above-mentioned
questionnaires. Primarily it has the mixture of closed and open questionnaire. Mostly questionnaires are
of this type only. in social research nowadays, use of this type of questionnaires is increasing because
developing it is convenient and through it important information are easily compiled. regarding any
social fact, it is not possible to know information through any one type of questions only, hence as per
the requirement, open and closed, pictorial or structured and unstructured questions are developed.
such questions are useful for both less and more educated and are helpful in knowing the independent
thoughts of the respondent along with clear and exact answer.

13.4 Characteristics of a Good Questionnaire

A.L Bowley has mentioned the following characteristics of a good questionnaire:
1. from comparative point of view, number of questions should be less.
2. those questions that have been answered in ‘yes’ or ‘no’, they must be included.
3. Questions must be easy and quickly comprehensible.
4. Questions must be formulated in such a way that while answering one can be saved of
bias.
5. Question should not be vulgar, irreverent or tentative.
6. As far as possible, question should be such doing mutual confirmation.
7. Questions should be such in which desired information can be obtained in evident form.
Agel Burner has mentioned to take care of the following points while developing a questionnaire:
1. Which kind of information have to be gathered, to determine this, subject should be
expansively described.
2. to write the answers to the questions, as per the requirement, blank space must be there
before each question.
3. such questions should not be asked, answering which, respondent has an objection.
4. Questions must be arranged from logical point of view.
5. Must be saved from long-long questions.
6. Questionnaire should possibly be brief.
7. Questions should be easy and straight which the respondent may understand easily.
8. Language of questions must be easy and clear.
9. Questions should not be such that hurt the feelings of respondent.
10. While creating a questionnaire attention should be paid on its material aspect also, i.e., size
of questionnaire should not be too big or small, colour of the paper should be attractive,
printing should be beautiful and clear etc.

13.5 pre-testing of Questionnaire

After developing the questionnaire, before actually using it and sending it through the post to the
respondents, it must be tested in a small sample area so that if there are any flaws in the questionnaire,
they may be improved. No matter how much precaution is taken in creating the questionnaire and

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