Page 134 - DMGT209_QUANTITATIVE_TECHNIQUES_II

Unit 7: Sources and Methods of Data Collection

Notes
Example:“Do you think that the government publications are distributed effectively”?
This is not the correct way, since respondent does not know what the meaning of the word
effective distribution is. This is confusing. The correct way of asking questions is “Do you think
that the government publications are readily available when you want to buy?” Example “Do
you think whether value price equation is attractive”? Here, respondents may not know the
meaning of value price equation.

Applicability

“Is the question applicable to all respondents?” Respondents may try to answer a question even
though they don’t qualify to do so or may lack from any meaningful opinion.

Example: 1. ”What is your present education level”
2. “Where are you working” (assuming he is employed)?
3. “From which bank have you taken a housing loan” (assuming he has
taken a loan).
Avoid Implicit Assumptions
An implicit alternative is one that is not expressed in the options. Consider following two
questions:
1. Would you like to have a job, if available?
2. Would you prefer to have a job, or do you prefer to do just domestic work?
Even though, we may say that these two questions look similar, they vary widely. The difference
is that Q-2 makes explicit the alternative implied in Q-1.

Split Ballot Technique
This is a procedure used wherein (1) The question is split into two halves and (2) Different
sequencing of questions is administered to each half. There are occasions when a single version
of questions may not derive the correct answer and the choice is not obvious to the respondent.

Example: “Why do you use Ayurvedic soap”? One respondent might say “Ayurvedic
soap is better for skin care”. Another may say “Because the dermatologist has recommended”.
A third might say “It is a soap used by my entire family for several years”. The first respondent
answers the reason for using it at present. The second respondent answers how he started using.
The third respondent “the family tradition for using”. As can be seen, different reference frames
are used. The question may be balanced and rephrased.
Complex Questions
In which of the following do you like to park your liquid funds?
 Debenture
 Preferential share
 Equity linked M.F
 I.P.O
 Fixed deposit
If this question is posed to the general public, they may not know the meaning of liquid fund.
Most of the respondents will guess and tick one of them.

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