A questionnaire can be defined as a schedule having a number of coherent questions related to the topic which is being studied. A questionnaire acts as a formulated series of the questions and helps in the collection of the information directly by the investigator himself. A schedule can be defined as the collection of the details in a tabulated form and can be sometimes identical to the questionnaire.
Advantages of the Questionnaire
1. Requires less skill.
2. Less training is needed.
3. Cheaper in nature.
4. Also impersonal in nature.
5. Pressure is less.
6. Anonymity.
Disadvantages of the Questionnaire
1. Returns are low if compared to the other methods used for the collection of the data.
2. Response is also less.
3. Less flexible in working.
4. Occurrence of errors.
5. Less reliable.
6. Sometimes answers obtained can be wrong.
7. Not efficient in the depth – problems.
Types of Questionnaire:
1. Structured questionnaire:
• Consists of definite, concrete and pre ordinate questions.
• Has some additional questions as well, limited to those necessary for the classification of the inadequate answers.
• Is segmented in nature.
• Provides information under given titles and the sub titles.
• Helps in getting accurate response and apt information.
• Saves time and also the energy.
2. Non Structured questionnaire:
• Is very simple in nature.
• Is non segmented.
• Has no sub division.
• Can be used for very simple types of studies.
3. Codified questionnaire:
• Expected answers are given in the code numbers.
• Very easy for carrying out the processing.
• Very suitable and also very convenient for the informant.
4. Un Codified questionnaire:
• Very simple in nature.
• Consist of no codification.
• Codification may be sometimes made at the time of compilation but only if it is necessary.
