Full Description
"The authors' thoughtful treatment and discussion of the subject deftly walks the reader through each stage of the survey questionnaire process. The book uses terrific examples, gives clear direction, and is an essential reference for survey research in education."
—Lawrence Machi, Professor of Organizational Leadership
University of La Verne
"More and more, district leaders are needing to collect perceptual data through surveys. This book provides guidance in a concise format for busy educators who may not have had training related to survey development."
—Ronald L. Russell, Associate Director
Loess Hills Area Education Agency 13, IA
A user-friendly guide to developing questionnaires that work!
Since the first edition of Your Opinion, Please! was published, the demand for accurate information and efficient ways of collecting data has increased in all arenas, and the field of education is no exception.
Written by experts, this accessible resource presents the vital elements for creating any type of survey or questionnaire. The second edition has been updated with a significant discussion on the value of using the Internet—and pitfalls to avoid—when gathering information and developing and distributing questionnaires. The updates also include a new chapter on designing questionnaires, in response to the increasing body of research focused on the design elements of questionnaire development.
The authors show novice and experienced researchers how to construct a basic questionnaire, collect and analyze the data, and report the results. The material takes readers through the essential stages of questionnaire development and covers:
Establishing and clarifying the guiding questions
Designing the questionnaire
Formatting responses
Categorizing responses by group type
This user-friendly guidebook also provides examples throughout to illustrate the questionnaire development process, a sample completed survey for reference, and a section on frequently asked questions.
Contents
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
Part I Stages of Questionnaire Development
Stage 1: Establishing the Guiding Questions
Stage 2: Operationalizing the Guiding Questions: Creating Specificity
Stage 3: Writing Items and Formatting Responses
Stage 4: Designing the Questionnaire
Stage 5: Writing Directions
Stage 6: Who Said What? Categorizing Respondents
Stage 7: Conducting the Alignment Check
Stage 8: Instrument Validity and Reliability
Stage 9: Marketing the Questionnaire: Ensuring Response
Part II Getting From Here to There
Stage 10: The Process of Data Analysis
Stage 11: Communicating Your Results Effectively
Stage 12: To Web or Not to Web
Stage 13: Since You Asked ...
Resource A: Evaluating the Questionnaire: A Self-Assessment
Resource B: Sample Introductions
Resource C: Sample Directions and Formats
Resource D: Critiquing a Questionnaire: Finding Flaws
Resource E: Modeling the Product: Stages 1 Through 6
References
Index
