To all my students in English 2, the following have to be copied because we will discuss them on Monday (February 16). For the Lit 1 students (BSN 2C), just eye your assignment at the archive section.
Tools in Gathering Information
A. The Questionnaire - the list of planned, written questions related to a particular topic, with space provided for indicating the response to each question, intended for submission to a number of persons for reply.
Types:
1. Structured - asks a question and provides several possible answers.
2. Unstructured - asks questions but no suggested answers are given by the investigator.
Principles to Consider in Constructing Questionnaires
Certain principles can be employed by questionnaire makers to make items more precise.
1. Define or qualify terms that could easily be misinterpreted.
Illustrative example:
What is the value of your house?
2. Be careful in using descriptive adjectives and adverbs that have no agreed upon meaning.
Example:
frequently, occasionally, rarely
3. Be careful of inadequate alternatives.
Illustative example:
Married? Yes_____ No_____
4. Beware of double negatives. Negatives should be underlined for clarity.
Illustrative example:
Federal aid should not be granted to those states in which education is not equal.
5. Avoid double - barreled questions.
Illustrative example:
Do you believe that gifted students should be placed in separate groups for instructional purposes and assigned to special schools?
6. Underline a word if you wish to indicate special emphasis.
7. When asking for ratings or comparisons a point of reference is necessary.
Ilustrative example:
How would you rate this student teacher's classroom teaching?
Superior - Average - Below Average
8. Avoid unwanted assumptions.
Illustrative example:
Are you satisfied with the salary raise that you received last year?
Do you feel that you benefited from the spankings that you received as a child?
9. Phrase questions so that they are appropriate for al respondents.
Illustrative example:
What is your monthly salary?
Some teachers are paid on a nine - month basis, some ten, eleven or even twelve. Therefore, it would be better to construct three questions:
a. Your salary per month? _____
b. Number of months in school term? _____
c. Number of salary payment per year? _____
10. Design questions that will give a complete answer.
Ilustrative example:
Do you read the Manila Times?
A yes or no answer would not reveal much information about reading habits of the respondent. Better construct an additional item, in which the respondent is asked, "If your answer is Yes, kindly check how often and what sections of the Times you read".
11. Provide for the systematic quantification of responses.
Illustrative example:
What are your favorite television programs? Rank in order of preference your first, second, third, fourth and fifth choices.
The items can be tabulated by inverse weightings.
1st choice 5 points
2nd choice 4 points
3rd choice 3 points
4th choice 2 points
5th choice 1 point
12. Consider the possibility of clasifying responses yourself, rather than having the respondent choose categories. If students were asked to classify their father's occupation in one of the following categories, the results might be quite unsatisfactory.
Illustrative example:
Unskilled labor _____
Skilled labor _____
Clerical work _____
Managerial work _____
Profession _____
Proprietorship _____
Characteristics of a Good Questionnaire
1. It deals with a significant topic.
2. It seeks only that information which cannot be obtained from other sources.
3. It is as short as possible.
4. It is attractive in appearance, neatly arranged, and clearly duplicated or printed.
5. Directions are clear and complete.
B. Interview - a data gathering device which, in a sense, is an oral questionnaire.
Preparation for the Interview
The interviewer must make careful preparation for the interview if it is to yield fruitful results. One aspect of this preparation is that the interviewer must have a lear conception of just what he or she needs. The interviewer must clearly outline the best sequence of questions and stimulating comments that will sytematically bring out the desired responses, outline or check list will provide a set plan for the interview, precluding the possibility that the interviewer will fail to get important and need data.
Some "Do's" and "Dont's" for the Interviewer.
To ensure maximum success, the interviewer must have a good bearing and aneat, pleasing personal appearance. In addition, he must conduct himself in ways that characterize proper demeanor.
The following are the Dont's in interviewing.
1. Don't argue.
2. Don't appear erudite or learned.
3. Don't use big words.
4. Don't irritate worn spots.
5. Don't tell inaapropriate stories.
6. Don't talk too much.
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