Questionnaire

The general instructions presented in this chapter are also valid for data collection with questionnaires. Iit is also recommended that consider the following aspects are considered (adapted from evaluationsnetz, 2005):

• Decide in which form the survey is to be conducted:
  
  • On-site survey (e.g. in a lecture) has the advantage that any questions about the questionnaire can be answered directly and that the questionnaires can be easily collected from the students. The disadvantage is the spatial and time limitations.
    
  • Sending the questionnaires (by post or e-mail) or an online survey has the disadvantage that there is no scope for clarifications and only a certain percentage of the students may return the questionnaire, but it has the advantage that the participants can be reached (almost) everywhere.

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

• How should the data be entered? An alternative to manual entry is on-line surveys (mostly, the data can be easily exported from the survey software into a common statistics program) or scanning of the questionnaires that have been filled out (worthwhile only for a large number of participants).

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

• Inform the participants about the survey: In postal surveys this can occur with a cover letter, while, in surveys on site, information can be distributed also orally.
  • Motivate and remind participants: Explain the aim of the questionnaire and which 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 participated to the 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. Also explain 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”). Furthermore, you should tell the participants when and how they will be informed about the results of the survey..