ABSTRACT
The field of questionnaire design is vast, and this chapter is intended to provide a straightforward introduction to its key elements, indicating the main issues to be addressed, some important problematical considerations and how they can be resolved. The chapter follows a sequence in designing a questionnaire that, it is hoped, will be useful for researchers. The sequence is:
ethical issues; approaching the planning of a questionnaire; operationalizing the questionnaire; structured, semi-structured and unstructured questionnaires; avoiding pitfalls in question writing; dichotomous questions; multiple choice questions; rank ordering; rating scales; open-ended questions; asking sensitive questions; sequencing the questions; questionnaires containing few verbal items; the layout of the questionnaire; covering letters/sheets and follow-up letters; piloting the questionnaire; practical considerations in questionnaire design; postal questionnaires; processing questionnaire data.
