Types of Questionnaire in Sociological Research

Questionnaires are a ubiquitous tool in sociological research, employed to gather standardised data from a sample of respondents. They provide a structured framework for collecting information on various topics, from attitudes and beliefs to behaviours and demographics. This essay will delve into different types of questionnaires commonly used in sociology, highlighting their strengths, limitations, and exemplary applications.

Open and Closed Questions

Open questions, as the name suggests, allow respondents to answer freely and elaborately. They provide rich, qualitative data that can reveal insights into respondents' thought processes and reasoning. For instance, a researcher studying environmental attitudes might ask, "What are your thoughts on climate change?".

Conversely, closed questions offer a predetermined set of response options, facilitating quantitative analysis. These are particularly useful for measuring the prevalence of specific opinions or behaviours. An example of a closed question is, "On a scale of 1 to 5, how concerned are you about climate change?", with 1 being "Not at all concerned" and 5 being "Extremely concerned".

Modes of Administration

Postal questionnaires are mailed to respondents, offering flexibility and anonymity. However, they often suffer from low response rates, potentially introducing bias. This method was prominently used in the "Affluent Worker" study by Goldthorpe et al. (1968) to investigate the changing values of the working class.

Self-completion questionnaires are distributed and completed directly by respondents, either in person or electronically. They offer greater control over the response rate but may be influenced by social desirability bias, where respondents answer in ways they perceive as socially acceptable. This method is commonly used in studies on sensitive topics like sexual health or substance abuse.

Internet questionnaires, increasingly prevalent in the digital age, allow for large-scale data collection at a low cost. However, they may exclude individuals without internet access, introducing sampling bias. Websites like SurveyMonkey and Qualtrics have made this method readily accessible for researchers studying various social phenomena, from political opinions to consumer behaviour.

Structured Interviews

Researcher-administered questionnaires, often called structured interviews, involve researchers directly asking questions and recording responses. This method allows for clarification and probing, ensuring data quality. Telephone-administered questionnaires fall under this category, offering convenience but potentially limiting the depth of responses. Structured interviews are particularly useful in studies requiring complex concepts or sensitive questions, such as research on domestic violence or mental health.

Conclusion

The choice of questionnaire type depends on the research question, target population, and available resources. Each method presents its own set of strengths and limitations. Researchers must carefully consider these factors to ensure the chosen approach yields reliable and valid data. By employing a combination of question types and administration modes, sociologists can effectively gather rich and nuanced data, contributing to our understanding of the complex social world.

References

Goldthorpe, J. H., Lockwood, D., Bechhofer, F., & Platt, J. (1968). The affluent worker: Industrial attitudes and behaviour. Cambridge University Press.