Types of Questionnaire

Following are the types or forms of questionnaire.

Structured Questionnaire

A structured questionnaire is that one which has pre-determined questions with answers. The respondents only tick the correct answer in short term “yes” or “No”. It is also called pre-coded, closed restricted and categorical questionnaire.

Advantages

  1. It is easy and less time consuming.
  2. It keeps the respondents in limits.
  3. It has objectivity.

Disadvantages

  1. Confusion and difficulty in selection.
  2. It bounds the respondents.
  3. Les possibility of return.
  4. Difficulty in reliability.

For example

1. Gender Status?

(a) Male                     (b) Female

2. Marital Status?

(a) Married                (b) un-married

3. Family Types

(a) Joint                     (b) Nuclear                (c) Extended

Un-Structured Questionnaire

Un-structured questionnaire is that in which pre-determined questions are given but have no answers. These answers are to be structured by the respondents. Open questions are given for the respondents to give answers. In such type of questionnaire, interview b/w the researcher and respondents or face to face conversation takes place. Such types is also called open-ended, unrestricted or non-categorical questionnaire.

For Example

  1. Do you know about poverty
  2. What are the types of poverty
  3. What the factors influence poverty
  4. What are the remedies for its solution

Advantages

  1. It is more reliable.
  2. It is more explanatory.
  3. It gives depth of response.

Disadvantages

  1. It requires greater efforts.
  2. It is more expansible.
  3.  It risky for an investigator.
  4. Less returns by the respondents.

Hand Delivered Questionnaire

This is a type of questionnaire in which the investigator himself go to the field and hand over the pre written questions to the respondents. They only tick mark, the correct answers in front of the investigator. It is also called direct questionnaire because the researcher directly distributes the questionnaire among the respondents.

Advantages

  1. The researcher have close contact with respondents.
  2. Difficult questions are explained by the researcher to the respondents.
  3. He explains the purpose of the study.

Disadvantages

  1. It is more expensive and costly.
  2. It more time consuming.

Mailed Questionnaire

Most of the researcher uses that type of questionnaire. In that type the respondents are living in for-flung areas at a distance and the questionnaire is sent to them by post, they fill it and return back to the researcher or concerned department. A particular guide line or instructions list is attached to the questionnaire for the respondents guidance.

Advantages

  1. It is commonly used.
  2. It is useful for the researcher.
  3. It is very easy and simple.
  4. It saves time and money.

Disadvantages

  1. Lack of returns.
  2. Research take time due to careless and laziness of the respondents.
  3. Lack of skilled respondents.
  4. Errors may occur due to misunderstanding of respondents.

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