Question

there should be special significance given to the construction of questionnaire explain some qualities of a questionnaire in the above context​

Answer 1

The heart of a survey is its questionnaire. Drawing a sample, hiring and training

interviewers and supervisors, programming computers, and other preparatory work is all in

service of the conversation that takes place between researchers and respondents. Survey results

depend crucially on the questionnaire that scripts this conversation (irrespective of how the

conversation is mediated, e.g., by an interviewer or a computer). To minimize response errors,

questionnaires should be crafted in accordance with best practices.

Recommendations about best practices stem from experience and common lore, on the

one hand, and methodological research, on the other. In this chapter, we first offer

recommendations about optimal questionnaire design based on the common wisdom (focusing

mainly on the words used in questions), and then make further recommendations based on a

review of the methodological research (focusing mainly on the structural features of questions).

We begin our examination of the methodological research by considering open versus

closed questions, a difference especially relevant to three types of measurement: (1) asking for

choices among nominal categories (e.g., “What is the most important problem facing the

country?” (2) ascertaining numeric quantities (e.g., “How many hours did you watch television

last week?”) and (3) testing factual knowledge (e.g., “Who is Joseph Biden?”).

Next, we treat the design of rating scales. We review the literature on the optimal

number of scale points, consider whether some or all scale points should be labeled with words

and/or numbers, and examine the problem of acquiescence response bias and methods for

avoiding it. We then turn to the impact of response option order, outlining how it varies

depending on whether categories are nominal or ordinal and whether they are presented visually

or orally.

Answer 2

Answer:

A questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of questions for the purpose of gathering information from respondents. The questionnaire was invented by the Statistical Society of London in 1838.

Qualities:-

Simple and Short Questions - Questions should be short, simple and straight-forward.

Limited Questions in Proper Order - The number of questions should be limited and these should be in a logical order.

Clear Instructions - To assist the informant. clear instructions should be given wherever required.

Pre-Testing - To know the short-comings of questionnaire, it should be tried on a small selected group.

Avoid Mathematical Calculations - Questions containing mathematical calculations should be completely avoided.

Avoid Personal and Controversial Questions - Personal questions affecting sentiments and controversial questions related to religion, politics, etc., should be avoided.