Importance Of Questionnaires In Descriptive Research

Questionnaires

Jacob Zucker

Grantham University

Abstract This paper discusses how to construct and administrate a questionnaire and its practical application in descriptive research. The writer’s opinion will be included, using the least amount of bias possible, about the strengths and weaknesses of this kind of research. Questionnaires Descriptive research is research that enables researchers to draw conclusions about the current state of affairs regarding a situation or issue but not about cause-and-effect relationships (Leedy & Ormrod, 2016, p. 368). Within a descriptive research topic, a researcher can use different methods of collecting data. Some of these methods include surveys, face-to-face interviews, and

This means that a researcher cannot be solely tied to one type of data collection or research. They must use different methods to validate their data and their opinion. For example, a researcher was to conduct research using a qualitative study and a qualitative study, that researcher would be able to compare data. After comparing and analyzing the data, if researcher finds that they are receiving patterns in answers, they are validating the

There are some strengths to the questionnaire like the use of the online questionnaire protecting identity and not allowing submission without the entire questionnaire being completed. However, there are also some weaknesses such as being expensive to set up and maintain. Researchers should follow the guidelines set out for constructing and administering a questionnaire when they are wanting that sort of data for a research project. Sticking to the guidelines will enable a professional and well written questionnaire that subjects will find easy to follow and answer. References

Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2016). Practical research: Planning and design (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Jones, S., Murphy, F., Edwards, M., & James, J. (2008). Doing things differently: advantages and disadvantages of web questionnaires. Nurse Researcher, 15(4), 15-26.

Zur, O., & Carmeli, E. (2013). The University of California Los Angeles Dizziness Questionnaire: Advantages and disadvantages. Journal Of Vestibular Research: Equilibrium & Orientation, 23(6), 279-283. doi:10.3233/VES-130480

Hunter, L. (2012). Challenging the reported disadvantages of e-questionnaires and addressing methodological issues of online data collection. Nurse Researcher, 20(1), 11-20.

Boeren, E. (2018). The Methodological Underdog: A Review of Quantitative Research in the Key Adult Education Journals. Adult Education Quarterly,