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Unit-13: Questionnaire Construction, Mailed Questionnaire

to fill and return the questionnaire in a definite time. It is said to the respondent that research work notes
may be completed only with your support. Letter may be typed, printed or cyclostyled. Letter must
be printed clearly and on an attractive paper so the respondent is attracted. Letter only works as a link
between the respondent and researcher, brings them closer to each other. Heading of letter should
be in bold letters reading which the respondent understands the case. Language and vocabulary of
letter should be chosen carefully reading which, respondent should get ready himself to provide
the information. it should also be written in the letter that the information provided by you shall be
kept secret, they will not be misused and they will not be printed publically. At the end of the letter
gratitude must be expressed towards the support of the respondent. Letter should be brief, attractive
and impactful. for obtaining quick response, along with accompanying letter, reply envelops with
ticket must also be sent. it has a psychological impact on the respondent and he is able to understand
the importance of filling and sending back the questionnaire.

13.6 Methods of Preparing a Good Questionnaire

in modern times, in social research, for compilation of facts, use of questionnaire is increasing day-
by-day. throwing light on its importance, Wilson Gee has written, “it is a convenient method of
obtaining some limited information from a big group of people from a small selected group of people
scattered more widely.” Catherine Godern Capt has also written, “through questionnaire along with
objective and quantitative facts, knowledge of developing information of qualitative nature can also
be obtained.” We can express the characteristics, merits, uses or importance of questionnaire methods
under various heads in the following manner:
1. Study of Large Population: the biggest merit of questionnaire method is that through it we
can do a study of population of a large and widespread area by spending less time, money
and effort. for study of large population through other methods more money, time and labour
is required. throwing light on its usefulness, Hsin Pao yeng has written, “questionnaire
provides a fastest and easiest method of compiling information from a group of people
spread in a large and expansive area.”
2. Minimum Expenses: Questionnaire method, in comparison to other methods is a less
expensive method of study. study of a large area is done in a short expense on paper, printing
and postage expense. Because of the non-requirement of field workers in this field, expense
on their wages and allowances and organization related expenses are not required.
3. Minimum time: Questionnaires are printed and sent simultaneously by post to all the
respondents, which are soon filled and returned. As against it, in interview, observation or
schedule method, researcher has to personally contact the respondent for which more time
is required, if area is wide spread then more time is required while questionnaires may be
sent simultaneously and in some time, most are returned with answers.
4. Minimum labour: for doing study through questionnaires, we do not need investigators.
Questionnaires may be sent and received through a central office only. For their tabulation,
scheduling, sampling, inferencing and preparing the report also many people are not
required.
5. Repetition Possible: some researches are such that for them we need to collect information
again and again after some time, then this method is only much useful. Many copies of
questionnaires are printed and kept which are sent to the respondents from time-to-time.
6. convenient: Questionnaire method is an easy and convenient method of compiling
information because respondent may fill it whenever he gets the time according to his
convenience and interest. researcher also need not determine the time of interview with
the respondent.

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