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Questionnaires and Its Types

Questionnaires can be used to gather information from a large audience through surveys. There are different types of questionnaires depending on the purpose and type of data to be collected. Exploratory questionnaires use open-ended questions to collect qualitative data in early research stages, while formal standardized questionnaires use closed-ended questions to collect quantitative data when testing hypotheses. Closed-ended questions can be further classified as leading, importance, dichotomous, Likert, bipolar, rating scale, or buying propensity questions. Mixed and pictorial questionnaires are other less common types.

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605 views4 pages

Questionnaires and Its Types

Questionnaires can be used to gather information from a large audience through surveys. There are different types of questionnaires depending on the purpose and type of data to be collected. Exploratory questionnaires use open-ended questions to collect qualitative data in early research stages, while formal standardized questionnaires use closed-ended questions to collect quantitative data when testing hypotheses. Closed-ended questions can be further classified as leading, importance, dichotomous, Likert, bipolar, rating scale, or buying propensity questions. Mixed and pictorial questionnaires are other less common types.

Uploaded by

Akhwand Saulat
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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QUESTIONNAIRES AND ITS TYPES

Questionnaires are commonly used to gather first-hand information from a large audience, in the
form of a survey. There are different types of questionnaires in practice and the type of
questionnaire to be used usually depends on the purpose of the survey and the type of data that has
to be collected.
Questionnaires are highly practical and can be carried out by any number of people, and the results
can be quickly quantified as well. Over the years, this form of conducting research has also been
proven to be more scientifically accurate, as compared to other quantitative research tools.
Types of Questionnaires
Exploratory Questionnaire (Qualitative)
These are also known as unstructured questionnaires. They’re used to collect qualitative data which is
information that can be observed and recorded but isn’t numerical in nature. It’s used to approximate and
characterize. Exploratory questionnaires are ideal when researcher is in the early stages and want to learn
more about a topic before designing a solution or hypothesis.
An example of qualitative data would be someone is providing feedback about any literature. They may
mention things about the tone, clarity, word choice, etc. which helps the researcher categorize the literature
but he can’t attach a number to the feedback.
Formal Standardized Questionnaire (Quantitative)
They’re also known as structured questionnaires. These ones are used to collect quantitative data which is
information recorded as a count or numerical value. Standardized questionnaires are best used when
researcher have already formed an initial hypothesis or built out a prototype for a product. It will be used
to test the assumptions, designs, use cases, etc. before going further with product development. Because of
its clear focus, the questions researcher ask are narrow in scope and solicit specific information.
The data is quantifiable which means it can be used for mathematical calculations or statistical analysis. In
essence, it answers the question of how much, how many, or how often. An example of quantitative data
would be the answer to the following question, “how old are you?” which requires a numerical reply.
Questionnaire Formats
Depending upon the nature of the questions in a questionnaire, there can be different types of
questions in questionnaire

1. Questions in Open Ended Format


Questions that allow the target audience to voice their feelings and notions freely are called open -
format questions or open-ended questions. These questions are not based on pre-determined
responses, giving respondents an opportunity to express what they feel is right, and often provide
real, perceptional, and at times, startling proposals. Open-ended questions placed at the end of a
questionnaire tend to draw accurate feedback and suggestions from respondents as well.
2. Questions in Closed Ended Format
Questions which have multiple options as answers and allow respondents to select a single option
from amongst them are called closed-format or closed-ended questions. This type of questionnaire
is especially useful when conducting preliminary analysis. As a fixed answer set is provided, these
are ideal for calculation of statistical information and percentages of various types. Closed -ended
questions help to arrive at opinions about a product or service, and sometimes, about a company, in
a more efficient manner.
7 Types of Closed Format Questions
Closed-ended questions which are aimed at collecting accurate statistical data can be classified into
the following seven types:

 Leading Questions
A question forcing the target audience to opt for a specific kind of answer is called a leading
question. All answers for a leading question are almost similar. Leading questions are usually
prepared to derive audience opinion within a set of limited words.

 Importance Questions
Questions which ask respondents to rate the importance of some specific matter on a rating scale of
1 to 5 are called importance questions. Such questions facilitate drawing what respondents consider
significant - enabling vital business decision-making.

 Dichotomous Questions
Questions that make respondents answer with a simple "yes" or "no" are called dichotomous
questions. These questions carry one disadvantage-there is no other way of analyzing the answer
between a "yes" and "no". A middle perspective is not possible.
 Likert Questions
The degree to which respondents agree to a specific statement can be ascertaine d using Likert
questions. Customers' feelings about a topic, product or service can be easily gauged by asking them
these questions.

 Bipolar Questions
Questions that have two answers with different levels of extremities, written at opposite ends of a
scale, are called bipolar questions. Respondents have to mark their response anywhere between
these two extremities, showing their opinion.

 Rating Scale Questions


Questions that ask respondents to provide a rating on a specific matter on a scale of 1 to 10 o r on a
scale of "poor" to "good" are called rating scale questions. Normally, these questions have an even
number of choices, so as to prevent respondents to choose a middle way out.

 Buying Propensity Questions


These are aimed at assessing customers' future intentions, determining their propens ity toward
buying a specific product or service. Buying propensity questions help marketers to understand the
needs of customers and the probability of their buying a certain product or a service.
3. Other Types of Questionnaires
Apart from the above-mentioned two broad classifications there are two more types which are rarely
used in practice, namely; Mixed Questionnaire and Pictorial Questionnaire.

 Mixed questionnaires consist of closed as well as open-ended questions. These are normally
used in the field of social research

 Pictorial questionnaire on the other hand is used in promotion of interest to answer questions.
These are mostly used as study material for children

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