Fundamentals of Questionnaire Design

Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role of questionnaires within research, evaluation and information gathering.

• Recognise different survey approaches and data collection methods.

• Select an approach appropriate to the question being addressed.

• Understand the principles of sampling and the implications of different sampling approaches.

• Recognise the factors that influence sample size.

• Apply the fundamental principles of effective questionnaire design.

• Distinguish between different types and formats of questions.

• Recognise common problems with question wording and response options.

• Identify potential sources of bias within questionnaires and surveys.

• Consider how questionnaire structure, layout and administration can influence responses.

• Understand the importance of piloting and testing questionnaires.

• Recognise the role of invitations and participant information in encouraging appropriate participation.

• Critically review and improve existing questionnaires.

Training Methodology

The course combines tutor-led explanation with group discussion, practical examples and exercises.

Participants will examine different questionnaire and survey approaches and consider the advantages and limitations associated with them. Examples of questionnaire questions will be used to explore how apparently small differences in wording, structure or response options can affect the information collected.

Practical activities will provide opportunities to critique questionnaire designs, identify potential sources of bias and consider how questions could be improved. Participants will also consider the wider survey process, including sampling, administration, piloting and communication with potential respondents.

The emphasis is on practical questionnaire design rather than simply learning a series of rules. Participants will be encouraged to consider each design decision in relation to the purpose of the survey and the people being asked to complete it.

Organisational Impact

Questionnaires are frequently used to support research, service evaluation, consultation, needs assessment, patient or service-user feedback and organisational improvement. However, poorly designed surveys can produce information that is difficult to interpret or, more seriously, provide a misleading picture of the population being studied.

Applying sound questionnaire-design principles can improve the quality, consistency and usefulness of information collected and reduce avoidable sources of bias.

The course also encourages participants to think about questionnaire design as part of the wider research process. This includes ensuring that the data being collected is necessary, that the intended sample is appropriate and that the questionnaire is capable of providing information relevant to the original question.

Personal Impact

Participants will develop greater confidence in designing questionnaires and critically assessing surveys developed by others.

They will become better equipped to identify ambiguous, leading, confusing or unnecessary questions and recognise when response options or questionnaire structure may affect the answers obtained.

Participants will also develop a broader understanding of sampling, data collection and bias, helping them distinguish between a questionnaire that simply looks professional and one that is methodologically sound.

Who Should Attend?

This course is suitable for anyone involved in designing, commissioning, conducting or analysing questionnaires and surveys, including:

• Researchers

• Analysts

• Clinicians and healthcare professionals

• Public health professionals

• Postgraduate and doctoral students

• Service managers

• Commissioners

• Quality and improvement staff

• Project and programme teams

• Staff involved in consultation or evaluation

• Anyone responsible for collecting feedback from patients, service users, staff or other populations

Course Outline

The course will explore areas including:

• The role and purpose of questionnaires

• Different approaches to surveys and data collection

• Selecting an appropriate methodology

• Understanding populations and samples

• Sampling approaches

• Sample size considerations

• Principles of effective questionnaire design

• Different types of questions and response formats

• Question wording and structure

• Ordering and presenting questions

• Sources of bias

• Survey administration and data collection

• Encouraging participation and response

• Invitations and participant communication

• Piloting and testing questionnaires

• Ethical and practical considerations

• Reviewing and improving questionnaires

• Practical application through examples, discussion and exercises

Duration:

 3.5 hours

Pre-requisites:

 None