This study describes a method for collecting data from nonliterate, non-English-speaking populations. Our audio computer-assisted self-interview instrument with color-labeled response categories was designed for use with helper assistance. The study included 30 dyads of nonliterate older Hmong respondents and family helpers answering questions…

Previous research shows that interviewers to some extent fail to expend the effort that is needed to collect high-quality survey data. We extend the idea of interviewer satisficing to a related task, in which the interviewers themselves answer survey questions. We hypothesize that interviewers who self-administer the questionnaire in a careless…

Although numerous survey-based studies have found that students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning (LGBQ) have elevated risk for many negative academic, disciplinary, psychological, and health outcomes, the validity of the types of data on which these results rest have come under increased scrutiny. Over the past several years,…

As pressure builds to assess students, teachers, and schools, educational practitioners and policy makers are increasingly looking toward student perception surveys as a promising means to collect high-quality, useful data. For instance, the widely cited Measures of Effective Teaching study lists student perception surveys as one of the three key…

This proposed research is part of an on-going line of research of developing questionnaire instruments for use at the elementary school level. Because field trials often use child self-report as outcome measures and sometimes determine implementation fidelity using such measures, evaluation of the validity of the use of such measures with…

Evaluated methods for selecting respondents who would respond accurately to items on a job-analysis questionnaire. One method involved obtaining from employees measures that assessed background, performance, and organizational information. A second method involved collecting job-analysis data from all potential job-analysis respondents and…

This article reviews issues in questionnaire design beyond the creation of standardized questions and basic data collection rules. The use of magnitude scales, the application of decision theory, and the use of a questionnaire framework that replicates how choices are made by respondents are among the new design approaches discussed. (SLD)

Questionnaires are important research tools despite their unpopularity. They are generally less costly per response than other techniques, may elicit more candid answers, provide more time for respondents to consider their replies, and do not introduce interviewer or observer bias. The rate of return is an indication of the usefulness of a…

Reasons for not returning a questionnaire were studied among Lutheran church members sent a postcard to indicate no intention of replying. The analysis is based on 431 returned postcards. For most nonresponders, the interest value of the questionnaire topic was not high enough. Many who returned the negative reply card would be resistant…

Data from 2-, 3-, 6-, and 7-point rating scales were analyzed to determine whether scale length affected response patterns. Results indicate that data configurations are relatively invariant with changes in number of scale points. (Author)

Questionnaire return rates were examined under these conditions: (1) a large random sample; (2) no follow-up procedures; (3) same mailout procedures and instructions; (4) no incentives; (5) type of questionnaire; (6) appropriate lengths; and (7) daily tally of returns. A difference in the rate of return was found. (Author/MLW)

Tips on constructing survey instruments and examples of alternative formats for questionnaire items are provided in this paper. The 18 tips cover such areas as instructions for respondents, wording of questionnaire items, grouping of items, handling of difficult or sensitive questions, fixed-response items, open-ended questions, and questionnaire…

Describes the Adjusted Agreement Index, a strategy for analyzing collected data from questionnaires utilizing Likert-type scales. Steps involved in using this index and its strengths and weaknesses are outlined, and a case study illustrating how it was used to summarize data on a distance education course package is presented. (MBR)

Determined to learn first-hand what kinds of data are the most meaningful to admissions directors, a survey of 80 colleges and universities was conducted to inquire about the range of acceptability of their own school transcript practices. Results are discussed. (Editor/RK)