Questioner is based on the perceptions of respondents regarding the issue; it is just a game of perceptions, there may be personal biases of respondent, the perception may also be influenced by the degree of willingness to response, environment in surrounding, and many more factors which directly affects the perception of respondent.
Most of the time questioner is used especially in qualitative research, so what you guys think, is it a good practice?
In furtherance of views, mentioned by Respected Fellow Hisam, I would like to add the following comments;
ReplyDelete1. Questionnaires are not necessarily be most of the time formulated and distributed to gather Qualitative Data. It depends on the researcher what he wants and what are the needs behind the questionnaire.
2. Talking in context of Program Evaluation, Questionnaire is one of the important measuring instrument in survey. Questionnaire is an effective mechanism for collecting data for evaluation. It does not provide comprehensive information for evaluation. However, always remember, it only support and supplement our other procedures for Evaluation and improve our findings. A good evaluator may conduct/gather data through questionnaire but should not suffice with the questionnaire, alone.
3. You are right by mentioning that it is a game of perceptions. I will further say that it is a game of opinions and personal observations based on ones’ own attitude and experience about something. And we know that in every game there are rules, followed, if properly can help us in winning the game and if not followed, properly, subsequently results in foul plays. So in questionnaire there are personal biases leading towards Response Biases. And it depends on the evaluator how he/she design a questionnaire to reduce the threat of response bias.
I have mentioned enough, I will request other fellows to mention the types of Response Bias and ways to remove response bias so that the important topic started by Respected Fellow Hisam could be completed in all aspects. Thanks.
My dear Mohaib in order to elaborate my statement “questioner is all about perceptions some times” but doesn’t mean that questioner is always perception based. How?
ReplyDeleteI. How many training you have got from given program?
II. 2
III. 3
IV. 4
V. More than 4
2. Did you learn something new from the trainings?
I. Yes
II. No
III. Don’t know
3. How much you have learned?
I. Some how
II. Too much
III. Little bit
All the three given questions are different from each other from research point of view, how?
First question is not perception based because it is in the knowledge of respondent that how many training he/she got. It is something which is known.
Second question is somehow perception based, here he/she can feel the learning from the program on the bases on change in their knowledge or skills.
But the third question is completely perception based, somehow, too much, little bit, these are subjective things, how much is somehow, how much is too much, one can only give his or her perceptions in responses to such questions, one can’t quantify.
First question is quantitative based, and the third one is completely perception based question, which is mostly related to qualitative research, because in this case it deals with the quality of training.
Offffff, that’s it! I hope you agree with me because there is no way round. Lolz . I am kidding Mohaib.
I always welcome your prudent ideas.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRespected fellow Hisam,
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing your utmost anticipated attitude to my "prudent ideas". I have not shown any disagreement with your comments before, I just mentioned "in furtherance to your views". Anyways, what I did say, you have made it cleared by giving examples.
Kindly give the ways how to reduce the response biasness,personal biasness of respondents. So that we can complete this topic on this blogspot comprehensively and others can take benefits after reading our comments.
Thanks.
Dear Mohib,
ReplyDeleteYes you have just broadened my views regarding the subject,some time welcoming your prudent ideas is just like getting in to difficulty, as you directly asked me to come up with answer…lolz.. any ways I will provide what ever I have.
Well the complete elimination of response biasness is very difficult but sill we can make it bare minimum. One of the most essential factors which directly influence the questionnaire responses is “Social desirability” what society accepts as good.
Example: Do you some in public transportation?
I. Yes
II. No
The answer may be “NO” if even the respondent smokes, that is because of social desirability.
If we alter the design of our question in this way;
Example Do you ever smoked in public transportation?
I. Yes
II. No
By using word “ever smoked” is making smoking an activity which is not recurring.. the same respondent may take it more lightly than before.. he may say “YES”…. By chance by mistake etc.
In both the cases what you intend to know, whether people smoke in public transportation or not?
With good questioning techniques you will come up with a response which are bias less.
Guyz debate is open for you all , this is the key topic related to research. Mohib thanks for your participation, I hope you will continue because it is not even 1% answer of the question which you have addressed if it is well attempt.