How To Write a Questionnaire for a Dissertation?

What do you do when you want to know someone? You simply ask them questions, and they, in turn, reply to your questions. That's typically how people come to know each other. But what do you do when you want to ask a group of people the same set of questions? You will, ofcourse, give them a questionnaire. A questionnaire allows you to maintain consistency in the responses in a structured manner. 

In research, a dissertation questionnaire is very crucial for gathering data to support research claims and arguments. It is a valuable tool that measures opinions, patterns and behaviors across a sample population. A well-articulated questionnaire keeps the respondents interested enough to give honest opinions, and you get accurate data for your research. 

In this post, we'll look at the steps for writing your questionnaire without getting intimidated by its complexity. 

What is a Questionnaire for a Dissertation?

As a student completing your dissertation, you are likely to encounter the dissertation questionnaire phase. The main purpose of this questionnaire is to collect data and information that will serve as essential evidence to strengthen your arguments. It's very beneficial, especially when you need firsthand data on a specific topic. 

• Helps Test Hypotheses

• Supports Analysis 

• Reaches a lot of Population

• Quantifies people's opinions and experiences

Template Of A Dissertation Questionnaire

Let us view a template of a dissertation questionnaire:-

My name is Emma, and I am studying for a Master's in economics from the University of London. I am conducting my final dissertation on the impact of economic inequality on society. Your responses will be valuable in providing insights into how economic differences affect our community. This questionnaire will have three sections, each with two questions. It will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. 

Please note that all the responses will be kept confidential and anonymous and will only be used for my dissertation. Your honest responses are highly appreciated. 

Section I: Personal Information

1. In what age group are you?

• 19 and under

• 20-24

• 24-26

• 27 and above

2. Gender

• Male

• Female

• Other

3. Year of Study

• 1st Year

• 2nd Year

• 3rd Year

• 4th Year

• Masters

• PhD

Section II: Economic Inequality

1. Do you think there is economic inequality in your community?

• Yes

• No

2. How often do you notice this inequality (e.g., differences in incomes, healthcare or education)?

• Never

• Sometimes

• Often

• Always

3. Do you feel inequality affects relationships between people and communities?

• Yes

• No

Section III: Social Impact

1. Which areas/ sectors are most affected by economic inequality?

• Education

• Healthcare

• Jobs

• Income

• Housing

2. Which groups do you think are most affected by economic inequality?

• Women

• Men

• Children

• Others

Section III: Open Ended Questions

1. What steps would you take to reduce and stop economic inequality in our society?

Thank you for participating in this questionnaire. Your participation and input are highly appreciated to help me build an understating of the economic status and further propel the research. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me via email. 

This was an example of how a dissertation questionnaire is written. It typically varies in length, sections and questions. If you need assistance with crafting questionnaires, seek help from dissertation writing help in London. 

Steps To Write A Dissertation Questionnaire

Here are the steps to write a cogent dissertation questionnaire:- 

1. Define the objectives of the Dissertation.

Before beginning with your questionnaire, it's always better to understand the goals and objectives of your research. Try to figure out the objectives through these questions:-

• What topic are you researching?

• What do you aim to achieve from this research?

• Is a questionnaire the best method for your research?

Once you have defined your research objectives, you can easily operationalize your ideas into quantitative measurements. 

2. Determine the Target Population

The next step is to determine which group of people is relevant to your research. When you know the population, subjects or participants of your study, you can adjust the survey accordingly to meet them. 

• Understand the demographics of your target population

• Their characteristics are like qualifications.

3. Decide the Dissertation Questionnaire Format

Now, you have to decide what format–ambiguous or straightforward– format is best suited for your target population and research. 

• Will the questionnaire be administered on paper or online?

• Will it be administered by an interviewer or a hybrid of online and offline?

4. Choose the Type of Questions

Based on your research objectives, choose the types of questions. Determine if you want to administer close-ended or open-ended questions. It is always advisable to ask closed-ended questions that can be answered with a "yes" and a "no," or they can include selecting from a pre-given list. They are often easier to quantify than open-ended questions. 

5. Create an Introduction

Since the target population is unaware of your research, write an introduction that describes the goal of the study, ensures anonymity and any other instructions to keep in mind while answering the questionnaire. 

• Mention who you are and your academic background

• Explain why you are selecting them

• Be honest about the length and time of the questionnaire

• Reassure them anonymity

• Thank them for their time. 

6. Avoid Biased and Leading Questions

The purpose of the questionnaire is for the data to be as objective as possible. Leading questions are those that are biased and can influence the answers given by the respondents. 

• Simply ask yes or no questions.

• Do not convey your personal opinions in the questionnaire

• Maintain a neutral tone and language. 

7. Pilot Test the Dissertation Questionnaire

Dissertation questionnaires take a lot of time from the researcher and respondent. If you want to eliminate any errors and get all your data correct, pre-test the questionnaire. Ask your friends or classmates to complete the questionnaire similarly as you would hold the questionnaire. 

• Pick out any errors with questions, clarity, length or language.

• Understand whether your methods are feasible or not. 

• Determine if your questionnaire is biased or not.

8. Make a Closing Statement

Now that you have tested your dissertation questionnaire, it's time to make a closing statement and end the questionnaire. 

• Thank the respondents for their time

• Provide contact information for further questions or concerns.

Still Struggling To Write A Dissertation Questionnaire? Let A Dissertation Writing Help Take Over

A dissertation questionnaire is one of the most valuable data collection resources for gathering valuable insight for your research. However, this process is time-consuming and challenging. If you are struggling to craft an intelligent and unbiased questionnaire, seek dissertation writing help from Quick Assignment Hub. 

Even if you have your questions ready but are unable to structure them well, Quick Assignment Hub will help you logically structure and format your questionnaire. 

Closing Note

To sum up, in this dissertation questionnaire writing guide, creating a good questionnaire requires time and careful understanding to get the best results. A well-designed questionnaire should be objective in nature, concise and focused. By investing time into understanding how to create a good questionnaire, you will effectively produce a good research paper based on your data. Keeping these tips and techniques in mind, you will be able to write an outstanding dissertation questionnaire.