HINTS FOR FORMULATING QUESTIONS
1.
Keep questions simple and specific.
 Avoid complicated charts and complex statements
 Use simple words rather than long “fancy” words
 Give examples where needed
2.
Use proper English rather than slang or jargon
 Meanings of words may vary between groups of people and are therefore not
precise.
 Some slang words may be offensive to your respondents
3.
Use complete terms rather than abbreviations
 Your respondents may be completely unfamiliar with your short forms
4.
Keep the language appropriate for your respondents.
 Children, teenagers, and adults have different reading levels.
 Certain occupations have specialized vocabularies.
5.
Avoid personal bias, leading questions, hidden assumptions or double meanings.
 Your choice of words may indicate your own feelings or bias unless care is taken.
Hidden Assumption
Leading Questions
Double Negative
6.
Example
Should mothers who have young
children needing love and care
go out to work?
How often do you drink
alcoholic beverages? (Assumes
the person drinks alcohol)
Are you in favor of not devoting
time to your relationships?
Yes ____ No ____
Better
Do you believe that women with
children should work outside the home?
a) Do you drink alcohol?
Yes ___ No ___
b) If yes, how often do you drink an
alcoholic beverage?
Are you in favor of devoting time to
your relationships?
Yes ____ No ____
Be specific if you require an opinion or a factual response.
 Respondents often do not know the facts and feel hesitant answering questions that
make this assumption.
EXAMPLE
Why do people commit suicide? (Assumes
facts are known by the respondent)
BETTER
In your opinion, why do people commit suicide?
7.
Introduce only one concept or idea in each question.
 Respondents will become confused and not know which question is being
answered by the response.
EXAMPLE
BETTER
Do you like your Science and Physical
a) Do you like your Science course?
Education courses? (compound question)
b) Do you like your Physical Education course?
8.
Avoid vague or ambiguous words or phrases
 This necessitates that the respondent guess what you are asking, and you will get a
number of interpretations.
EXAMPLE
WHY IT IS VAGUE???
In your opinion, how valuable are the
What is the meaning of valuable?
country’s energy resources?
What country?
Which resources? (sun, oil, human etc…)
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE QUESTIONNAIRE
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Print or type neatly on unlined and good quality paper. Needs to be professional.
Provide a space between questions to avoid crowding
Provide space for the respondent’s answer, especially open-ended questions.
Number all of the pages and the questions
Introduce sub-sections with headings
Label scales with category names.
Use visual aids, such as boxes or lines to indicate where the answer should be placed.
Place options for the response below the question.
Provide short definitions for words that could be interpreted in several ways. ( For the
purpose of this study, a juvenile delinquent will mean…)