1. Discuss the various ways in which questions can be used to obtain factual information, opinions, and attitudes from respondents.

When formulating a question, one should consider the following. First, one need to consider the content of the question. Respondents should be able to understand the questions in the same way. Second, the researcher needs to consider the structure of the question. The question should reveal what the researcher wants to achieve. Third, the researcher should consider the format of the question. When trying to get opinions, the question can take the form of multiple choice, short answer text box or multi-point rating. Fourth, the researcher should consider the sequence of questions (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015). Sequencing of question should be friendlier to participants.

2. The text defines “factual,” “opinion,” and “attitude” in terms of different types of questionnaires that are utilized in social science research. Distinguish among and discuss the significance of these three terms.

Factual questions seek to obtain objective information about respondent’s life, background, habit, and environment (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015). Besides, the researcher uses the questions to solicit straight forward answers that are verifiable.

Attitude questions seek to get information on what the respondents think of something. It consists of at least four domains. Attitude questions are evaluative that may approve or disapprove concepts (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015).

With opinion questions, the researcher might ask respondents questions that they may or may not agree with. Such questions require views of people so that they can be answered.

3. Explain the uses of open-ended, closed-ended, and contingency questions.

Open-ended questions are those that allow respondents to answer in an approach that is convenient to them. Respondents need to understand what the questions require and answer them freely in their own words (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015).

With close-ended questions, the researcher provides respondents with all possible answers to ask them to determine the ones that are appropriate.

Contingency questions are only used when dealing with subgroups of respondents (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015). When trying to get information from respondents, the researcher will start by asking previous filter question to determine the relevance of the questions to the subgroup under investigation.

4. List and describe the formats used to ask questions for various purposes.

Questionnaires are essential parts of the survey process. Questionnaires provide questions that seek to accurately obtain information regarding the opinion, experience, and behaviors of the public. In situations when the questions are biased or ambiguous, the researcher will be wasting the high response rates from respondents and accurate random sampling. Open-ended questions are those that allow respondents to answer in an approach that is convenient to them (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015). With close-ended questions, the researcher provides respondents with all possible answers to ask them to determine the ones that are appropriate. Contingency questions are only used when dealing with subgroups of respondents.

5. List the various problems that may arise while constructing questionnaires.

First, when constructing questionnaires, there may arise a problem of wording. The researcher must word the questions to allow respondent to understand them.

Second, there is a problem of the response set. This requires participants to respond to all questions by following a specific approach regardless of what is required.

Third, the use of leading questions is a problem when constructing questionnaires (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015). Sometimes researchers may decide to phrase questions in a way that provide clues to certain answers.

Fourth, the researcher may provide threatening questions. Such questions concern private or illegal behaviors.

6. Detail the conditions under which open-ended questions versus closed-ended questions should be employed in conducting research.

Researchers will ask open-ended questions when trying to find out more about an individual, their problems, and needs. Second, a researcher will use open-ended questions when selecting participants for the usability study (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015). In this situation, a screening questionnaire is appropriate.

Regarding close-ended questionnaire, the researcher will use them in quantitative usability studies. Second, the researcher will use open-ended questions when the possible answers are strict and limited for a certain reason. Additionally, these questions are used when the researcher wants to test the understanding of the respondents.

7. Under what conditions are matrix questions advisable? Give examples.

The matrix question refers to an approach used by researchers to organize a large set of rating questions with similar response categories (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015). Respondents will use the same set of choices in the column section to evaluate one or more row items. The questions are advisable whenever one wants to get information on priorities that people accord to objects or attitude.

8. Compare and contrast the use of funnel sequence and inverted funnel sequence in designing questionnaires for social science research.

Funnel sequence refers to an approach that encompasses structuring the order of questions by starting with general items and gradually narrowing the focus to specific items. With this method, successive questions relate to previous questions.

Inverted funnel sequence is a method that entails moving from questions with narrower scope to more general questions (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015).

9. Discuss the techniques for avoiding bias in the construction of questionnaires.

First, a response set requires participants to respond to all questions by following a specific approach regardless of what is required. Respondents should answer questions in a more complimentary manner (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015). Second, the researcher must word the questions to allow respondent to understand them. Third, the researcher must avoid using leading questions (Frankfort-Nachmias & Nachmias, 2015). The use of leading questions is a problem when constructing questionnaires. Sometimes researchers may decide to phrase questions in a way that provide clues to certain answers.

Reference

Frankfort-Nachmias, C., & Nachmias, D. (2015). Research methods in the social sciences (8^th ed.). New York, NY: Worth Publishers, a Macmillan Education Company.

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