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246 DATA COLLECTION METHODS

Organizing Questions, Giving Instructions and Guidance, and Good
Alignment
Organizing the questions logically and neatly in appropriate sections and providing
instructions on how to complete the items in each section will help the respondents
to answer them without difficulty. Questions should also be neatly aligned in a way
that allows the respondent to complete the task of reading and answering the ques-
tionnaire expending the least time and effort and without straining the eyes.
A specimen of the portion of a questionnaire incorporating the above points
follows.

Example 10.3 SECTION TWO: ABOUT WORK LIFE

The questions below ask about how you experience your work life. Think
in terms of your everyday experiences and accomplishments on the job
and put the most appropriate response number for you on the side of each
item, using the scale below.

Strongly Slightly Slightly Strongly
Agree Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Disagree Disagree
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
1. I do my work best when my job assignments are fairly difficult. ____
2. When I have a choice, I try to work in a group instead of by myself. ____
3. In my work assignments, I try to be my own boss. ____
4. I seek an active role in the leadership of a group. ____
5. I try very hard to improve on my past performance at work. ____
6. I pay a good deal of attention to the feelings of others at work. ____
7. I go my own way at work, regardless of the opinions of others. ____
8. I avoid trying to influence those around me to see things my way. ____
9. I take moderate risks, sticking my neck out to get ahead at work. ____
10. I prefer to do my own work, letting others do theirs. ____
11. I disregard rules and regulations that hamper my personal freedom. ____

Personal Data
Demographic or personal data could be organized as in the example that fol-
lows. Note the ordinal scaling of the age variable.

Example 10.4 SECTION ONE: ABOUT YOURSELF

Please circle the numbers representing the most appropriate responses for
you in respect of the following items.