Question

How does a questionnaire differ from a 'schedule' ? What are the essentials of a good questionnaire?

Answer 1

Answer:

Questionnaire refers to a technique of data collection which consist of a series of written questions along with alternative answers. Schedule is a formalized set of questions, statements and spaces for answers, provided to the enumerators who ask questions to the respondents and note down the answers.

Answer 2

In statistical study or research,questionnaire is a method of data collection which involves a survey consisting of various written questions accompanied by the respective answer choices for those questions.

A schedule basically consists of the formats,structures and instructions related to any public survey that is given to an enumerator to conduct the survey.

Explanation:

Difference between questionnaire and schedule:-

• Questionnaire basically refers to an actual survey consisting of set of questions and various alternative answer choices for those questions which can be filled up directly by the survey respondents.Schedule implies a set of question formats or structure and filled spaces for answering which are handed over to enumerators who fills up the actual survey.
• Questionnaires are answered or filled directly by the survey respondents whereas,schedules are completed by the enumerators.
• Questionnaire can usually cover a large sample size or a large number of respondents.In contrast,schedules are targeted mainly towards small respondent groups or sample.
• Questionnaire method requires relatively higher financial and human resource to conduct than the schedule method.
• The identity of the respondents are kept anonymous or confidential under questionnaire method but in schedule method,the respondent identity is usually known.

Essentials of a good questionnaire:-

• The overall length of the questionnaire has to be carefully determined so that the respondents don't feel bored while filling it up or find it uninteresting.
• The language used in the questionnaire should be fairly simple and straightforward devoid of any jargon or grammatical complexity so that majority of the respondents can read and understand the questions while answering.
• The rules and regulations or terms and conditions of the questionnaire has to explained properly and adequately to the respondents before answering.
• The questions included in the questionnaire should be framed or organised in a logical way.
• The arrangement of the questions in the questionnaire should be proper,coherent and organised so that respondents don't have difficulty following the questions.