Constructing Questions for Interviews and Questionnaires: Theory and Practice in Social Research

by William Foddy

Overview

This practical book presents a coherent, theoretical basis for the construction of valid and reliable questions for interviews and questionnaires. It integrates the empirical findings on question design reported in the social science literature and develops these insights. William Foddy outlines the problems that can arise when framing questions. He has written a broadly useful book for student and professional survey practitioners, particularly academic, government, and market researchers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521420099
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/29/1993
Pages:	244
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.67(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. An initial statement of the problem; 2. A theoretical framework; 3. Defining topics properly; 4. Formulating intelligible requests for information; 5. Contextual influences on respondent's interpretations of questions; 6. The need to provide response frameworks; 7. The limitations of human memory; 8. Filters: establishing the relevance of questions to the respondents; 9. Reducing question threat; 10. The open vs closed question debate: coding reponses to open questions and formulating sets of response options for closed questions; 11. Measuring attitudes; 12. Checks to ensure that questions work as they are intended to work; Conclusions; References.