Questionnaires

The general instructions are also valid for data collection with questionnaires. It is also recommended that the following aspects are considered (adapted from evaluationsnetz, 2005):

• Decide in which form the survey is to be conducted:
  
  • Surveying on-site (e.g. in a lecture) has the advantage that possible questions about the questionnaire can be answered directly, and that the questionnaires can be collected from the students easily. The disadvantage is that there are restrictions in terms of space and time.
    
  • Sending the questionnaires out (by post or e-mail) or an on-line survey has the disadvantage that possible clarifications cannot be made and only a certain proportion of the students might return the questionnaire, but it has the advantage that the participants can be reached (almost) everywhere.

• Appropriate premises: Make sure that the room has enough space, that there are no unforeseen interfering factors, etc.

• How should the data be entered? Alternatives to manual entry are either on-line surveys ( the data can normally be easily exported from the survey software into a common statistics program ) or scanning of the completed questionnaires (only worthwhile for a large number of participants).

• Pre-test: Before the actual survey, it is recommended that the questionnaire is piloted on a few people. This allows the prevention of ambiguities or other problems. The characteristics of the pilot participants should be as similar as possible to the target group.

• Inform the participants about the survey: In postal surveys this can occur with a cover letter, while the information can also be provided orally for on-site surveys.
  • Motivate and remind participants: Explain the aim of the questionnaire and the advantages it offers. Define a deadline by which the questionnaires are to be returned (in an enclosed stamped, addressed envelope!) and remind them or ask them if you have not received any feedback. Do not forget to thank the participants for having completedthe survey.
    
  • Indicate the time requirement: Tell the participants how much time they will need to fill out the questionnaire.
    
  • Indicate how you will use the data: Tell the participants whether the data will be handled anonymously or whether a person could possibly be identified. Explain also who will receive which results of the questionnaire and which form this will take (e.g. “Professor X will receive overall results only, no individual responses", or "non-structured responses will be anonymised").  You should also tell the participants when and how they will be informed about the results of the survey.