Which of the following is a key characteristic of the questionnaire design process in data collection for research?

Correct option is B

The design of a questionnaire in data collection must focus on ensuring clarity and precision in the wording of questions. This is crucial for minimizing any potential biases that could arise from misinterpretation. Ambiguity in question wording can lead to inaccurate or inconsistent responses. Open-ended questions, where applicable, can provide valuable insights, and guiding questions (leading questions) should be avoided to prevent influencing the respondent.

Information Booster:

• The questionnaire design process includes various stages, such as defining the research objectives, deciding on the data type (qualitative or quantitative), and determining the format and sequence of questions.

• Ensuring clarity and precision in wording (option B) prevents confusion and provides reliable data that can be analyzed effectively.

• Closed-ended questions (option A) are useful for quantitative data but must be carefully designed to ensure that all possible response categories are covered without leading the participant.

• Open-ended questions (option D) are sometimes necessary to capture detailed insights, though they can be harder to analyze than closed-ended questions.

• Leading questions (option C) should generally be avoided, as they may push respondents toward a certain answer, skewing the results.

Additional Knowledge:

1. (a) It requires a predetermined set of closed-ended questions:
   Closed-ended questions are useful, but a good questionnaire doesn't require them exclusively. A mix of open and closed-ended questions ensures richer, more comprehensive data.

2. (c) It can include leading questions to guide the respondent’s answers:
   Leading questions introduce bias by influencing responses. They should be avoided to maintain data integrity and ensure neutral, valid answers.

3. (d) It excludes the use of any open-ended questions:
   Excluding open-ended questions limits insights. These questions allow participants to express detailed thoughts and provide valuable qualitative data.