Reference no: EM132713267

SPD1088 English for Academic Studies - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Questionnaire - online teaching

Supplementary material: Research skills - Questionnaire design

Writing a workplace report involves researchers deciding on the method(s) which they intend to use to gather data (e.g. by analysing statistics, conducting interviews, carrying out laboratory experiments). One of the most frequently used methods of collecting data for business reports is the questionnaire survey. This method is also often used by university students and teachers when gathering primary data for academic reports and papers (e.g. the final-year project). Given the importance of questionnaire surveys in business and academic research, we have prepared this resources section in order to introduce you to some of the key principles of questionnaire design.

Conducting a questionnaire survey

TASK 1
The process of designing and administering a questionnaire generally consists of eight stages. These stages are listed below, but they are in the wrong order. Put them in the correct order by writing the letters in the spaces provided below. (1 = the first stage in the process)

(a) Revise the questionnaire on the basis of the results of the pilot.
(b) List the specific information that you want to find out.
(c) Analyse and tabulate the data.
(d) Pilot the questionnaire on a representative group of subjects.
(e) Draft and sequence the questions.
(f) Administer the final version of the questionnaire.
(g) Establish the topic, purpose and scope of the research project.
(h) Work out the overall structure of your questionnaire.

The organisation of a questionnaire

Questionnaires generally include the following sections:

1. Information about the topic and purpose of the project and instructions about how to fill in the questionnaire.

2. Demographic data about the subjects (e.g. age, gender).

3. Various types of questions designed to elicit the information required by the researchers.

4. An ethics statement, which may include information for participants about how their information will be used and how their rights and privacy will be protected.

PART A: Questionnaire design (15% of subject total)
PART B: Reporting your findings (20% of subject total)

Rationale: This task will enable you to demonstrate that you can conduct a small- scale research study using a questionnaire as your research instrument.
Specifically, you need to demonstrate that you can:
• construct and administer a small-scale research study
• process and report the data you collect from your small-scale research study.

STEP 1 Select an appropriate research focus and turn it into an appropriate research question.

STEP 2 Construct an appropriate questionnaire to collect data for your research question.

STEP 3 Administer your questionnaire to a suitable audience.

Note: There is no minimum or maximum number of people you should ask to complete your questionnaire. There are advantages and disadvantages to both large and small sample sizes. If your sample size is small, make sure that you take this into account when you write your report in PART B.

STEP 4 Process the questionnaire data and draw any appropriate conclusions from it.

STEP 5 Write a report
• describing how your study was designed
• presenting your findings in a digestible and reader-friendly way
• presenting appropriate conclusions.

Attach your questionnaire as an appendix to your report.

Other information

LENGTH 800-1000 words in English

Attachment:- Case report - Guidelines.rar