Closed-ended questionnaire

Definition

A closed-ended questionnaire is a research tool that presents respondents with predefined response options for each question, limiting their answers to specific choices. This format is useful for quantitative analysis, as it allows for easier data collection and statistical analysis. Respondents can select from multiple-choice answers, true/false options, or rating scales, which streamlines the process of gathering measurable data.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Closed-ended questionnaires are typically quicker to complete than open-ended ones because they require less thought and elaboration from respondents.
2. They are particularly useful in large-scale surveys where uniformity in responses is necessary for statistical comparisons.
3. The clarity of closed-ended questions can reduce ambiguity in responses, making it easier to analyze data quantitatively.
4. They can limit the richness of data collected, as respondents cannot elaborate on their choices or provide additional context.
5. Closed-ended questionnaires often include a 'not applicable' or 'I don't know' option to accommodate situations where respondents may not have an opinion or relevant information.

Review Questions

• What are the advantages of using closed-ended questionnaires in political research?
  • Closed-ended questionnaires provide several advantages in political research, including efficiency in data collection and ease of analysis. They allow researchers to gather quantifiable data from a larger sample size, making it easier to identify trends and patterns. Additionally, the predefined response options reduce the risk of misinterpretation by respondents and streamline the process of compiling results for statistical analysis.
• How do closed-ended questionnaires compare to open-ended questionnaires in terms of data richness and analysis?
  • Closed-ended questionnaires typically yield less rich data than open-ended questionnaires because they limit responses to predefined options. While this makes analyzing quantitative data straightforward, it can overlook the nuances and complexities of respondents' thoughts and feelings. Open-ended questionnaires allow for deeper insights and more detailed responses but require more effort in data coding and analysis due to their varied nature. Thus, researchers must balance the need for quantity versus quality when designing their surveys.
• Evaluate the impact of closed-ended questionnaires on the reliability and validity of survey results in political research.
  • Closed-ended questionnaires can enhance the reliability of survey results by providing consistent response options that reduce variability in interpretations among respondents. This consistency aids in achieving reproducible results across different samples. However, their validity may be compromised if the response options do not capture the full range of respondent opinions or if they lead to biased answers. Researchers must carefully consider question wording and response categories to ensure that closed-ended questionnaires accurately reflect the attitudes and beliefs being measured, thus maintaining both reliability and validity in their findings.

Related terms

Likert Scale: A type of closed-ended question that asks respondents to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement on a symmetric agree-disagree scale for a series of statements.

Open-ended questionnaire: A research tool that allows respondents to answer questions in their own words, providing more detailed and nuanced responses compared to closed-ended questions.

Survey design: The overall strategy and methodology used to create a survey, which includes the types of questions, the order of questions, and the method of administration.