The following questionnaire checklist includes three sections:
- the outline and format
- the questions and
- pre-test or pilot testing.
You may print this and place a checkmark if you think you have successfully accomplished each item on the checklist.
1. The Outline and Format
A. Introduction to the Questionnaire
- Title of the Study
- Purpose
- Duration of survey and length of questionnaire
- Guarantee of confidentiality
- Brief information about the company or organization
- Incentive Information (if any)
B. Demographic Data
- Respondent’s Name (This could be optional.)
- Age, Gender, etc.
C. Question Format
- The first question is a closed-ended question (answerable by Yes or No).
- Questions are arranged from general to specific.
- Sensitive questions are at the end of the questionnarie.
- Questions are grouped together according to the topic.
- The directions on how to answer are placed before the questions.
- The rating scale is written before the questions.
- The response options are placed vertically, except for tabulated questions.
See also: Survey Response Scales, Survey Response Formats.
D. End of Questionnaire
- A “Thank You” or any expression of gratitude to the respondent
- Information on knowing the survey results
2. The Questions
- The questions are concise and simple.
- All the questions do not contain any terminologies, acronyms or jargons that are unfamiliar to the respondents.
- The first 5 questions verify whether the respondent is eligible to continue the survey or not.
- All questions point to the survey goals.
- All possible response options or an “Other” option are included in each question.
- The respondent may or may not answer sensitive questions by placing a “Prefer not to answer” option.
- A midpoint response option such as “Average”, “Sometimes" or "Neutral" is included on the rating scale used.
- Most questions are closed-ended.
- Open-ended questions are voluntary.
See also: Constructing Survey Questions, Types of Survey Questions, Questionnaire Layout.
3. Pre-Test
- The survey questionnaire has been sent to friends, colleagues or experts to validate the wording and timing.
- The survey questionnaire has been answered by few survey respondents from the target population.
- Five (5) close-ended questions are answerable within one minute, while two (2) open-ended questions are answerable within one minute.
- The survey takes a maximum of 10 minutes to complete.
- Appropriate revisions of the questionnaire are done.
See also: Pilot Survey.