Here is a list of dos and don’ts when designing questionnaires
| DO… | DON’T… |
| Give clear instructions and explanations on how to complete the questions. | Make your questionnaire too long. |
| Have a clear layout to follow and record answers. | Have too few categories available.< |
| Make your questions clear and easy to follow. | Use vague terms or questions that may lead to confusion. |
| Ask for any personal details at the end. | Ask embarrassing or personal questions. |
| Explain what the research is and who you are. | Have categories that overlap. |
| Use simple language that all will understand. | Include any technical terms. |
| Provide multiple choice answers where appropriate. | Include any leading questions (suggesting a probable answer). |
Your task here is to break all the rules!
In pairs, you should write ten questions about a suitable topic, at the same time trying to break as many of these rules as possible.
When you have finished, try them out as a test on another pair of students and see how many mistakes they can spot!
