Who was the first to use questionnaires as a research method. Questioning as a survey method

Questioning is an independent and very common form of survey. filling in pre-prepared forms with a list of questions.

The questionnaire is a list of questions that the interviewee (respondent) must answer. The preparation of the questionnaire is preceded by a large research work described in works on sociometry, which aims to take into account the psychology of the respondent, to predict his reaction to one form or another of the question, the degree of his sincerity and the ability to formulate an unambiguous answer. The totality of answers should characterize the problem under study. Questionnaires are a common form of survey in marketing. Its advantage lies in the fact that as a result of processing the answers, a quantitative, statistical characteristic of the phenomenon under study can be obtained, cause-and-effect relationships can be identified and modeled.

The list of possible questions does not lend itself to strict regulation. Each compiler, depending on the goals, the object of research and their own capabilities, offers their own set and wording of questions. However, despite the seeming anarchy, there are certain rules and regulations that every researcher must follow.

The questionnaire is not just a list of questions. It is a very thin and flexible tool. It requires careful study. Everything is important: the types and wording of questions, their sequence and number, correctness and relevance. The development of a competent questionnaire can take from one to several weeks of work. Before starting the study, it is necessary to conduct a trial survey - “pilotage”, the purpose of which is to bring the questionnaire up to standard, eliminate errors, inaccuracies, ambiguities and suggestive elements. The volume of the pilot study affects, as a rule, 5% of the estimated number of respondents.

Compiling a questionnaire is a complex research process that includes setting goals, putting forward hypotheses, formulating questions, developing a sample, determining the method of questioning, etc. The questionnaire can be carried out orally, i.e. the registrar himself fills out the form according to the respondent (forwarding method). Another form is written (self-registration method), when the respondent fills out a questionnaire with his own hand, which is sent by mail (correspondent method). The disadvantage of this (cheaper) method is a certain percentage of incorrectly completed questionnaires. In addition, some of the questionnaires are not returned at all. Sometimes even selective control rounds of the respondents are carried out. The questionnaire method is also used when organizing panels, working with trade correspondents. Questionnaires are filled out by experts, specialists, etc.

Typically, the questionnaire has the form of a table with printed questions and free space for an answer (the questionnaire can be multipage). The traditional scheme includes three blocks:

Introduction (the purpose of the survey, information about the interviewers: name, description, address, guarantee of anonymity of the survey and confidence in the answers);

List of questions characterizing the subject of the survey (main part);

Information about the respondents (props part, or passport).

In the introduction (preamble), in a short form, it is reported who and why conducts the study, about the company, its reputation and the goals pursued by this survey. It would be nice to emphasize that the answers of the respondents will be used in their own interests, and to assure the absolute anonymity of the survey.

The introduction provides instructions for completing the questionnaire and returning it. It also expresses gratitude for the time kindly devoted by the respondent to the researchers. If the survey is conducted by mail, the introduction may be written as a cover letter.

When developing the main part of the questionnaire, attention should be paid to the content of the questions, their type, number, sequence of presentation, and the presence of control questions. The content of the questions should characterize the subject of the survey. But here it is necessary to find a reasonable compromise between the desire to make the questionnaire as complete as possible and a real opportunity to get answers. The main part of the questionnaire can be conditionally divided into two blocks, sometimes they are called "fish" and "detector".

"Fish"- this is the part containing the questions for the sake of which, in fact, the study was started.

"Detector" consists of control questions designed to test the attentiveness, seriousness and frankness of the respondents when filling out the questionnaire, as well as the decency and professionalism of the interviewers. Here, duplicate questions, contradictory positions, a sequence of questions with known answers can be provided. Only in the case of complete trust between customers, researchers and interviewers, and with the relative simplicity and tolerance of the research topic, can one do without a “detector”. A sure way to increase the reliability of the study is to include in the text of the questionnaire a request to leave a contact phone number. As practice shows, from 30 to 60% of metropolitan respondents and from 15 to 25% of provincial ones respond to it. And this is more than enough to check.

The requisite part (passport) contains information related to the respondents: age, gender, belonging to a certain class, occupation, marital status, name and address - for individuals, and for organizations: size, location, direction of production and economic activity, position respondent in the organization, his name. In addition, the questionnaire itself needs to be identified, i.e. give it a name, indicate the date, time and place of the survey, the name of the interviewer.

The number of questions should be optimal, i.e. providing completeness of information, but not excessive, which increases the cost of the survey (a reasonable compromise is necessary). Questions should be drafted in a tactful manner so as not to offend or alarm the respondents, or cause a negative reaction on their part.

The questions of the questionnaire are classified according to the degree of freedom, the nature of the answers and the form of the questions. They are divided into open, when the answer is given in free form, without restrictions, and closed, when a list of answer options is offered, from which one or more (“fan” of answers) is selected. Alternative questions are often posed, to which the answers are: “yes”, “no”, “I don’t know”. An important role in the survey is played by questions about intentions and opinions, in the answers to which a greater degree of freedom is allowed than in questions about facts and actions. Sometimes filtering questions are asked to cut off some of the respondents. For example, if the question “Do you have any product?” - the respondent answers "no", then questions about the assessment of his properties are unnecessary. And finally, in any questionnaire there are control questions used to assess the reliability of the answers. The wording of questions is a labor-intensive research work that requires high qualifications and erudition, knowledge of the basics of sociometry. This is a creative activity that does not allow mechanical copying. The questionnaire should be linked to the questionnaire development plan, table layouts, model options. In the development of questionnaires, statistical methods are used (grouping, correlation and regression analysis, etc.).

Open question- the question of the questionnaire, with the help of which the primary marketing information is collected; it enables the respondent to answer in his own words, which allows the latter to feel free enough to answer, to give examples. Open-ended questions are often given at the beginning of the questionnaire to "warm up" the respondents. However, keep in mind that they are difficult to process.

There are five options for open questions:

A simple open-ended question ("What do you think of...?");

Word association;

Completion of the offer;

Completion of the story, drawing;

Thematic apperception test (the respondent is shown a picture and asked to come up with a story about what, in his opinion, is happening or can happen on it).

In such questions, there is no bias, no desire to impose a certain answer. However, the answers to this type of questions require quite a lot of time, as they usually raise new, additional questions. In addition, the responses received can be interpreted in different ways. Therefore, they are not often used in surveys.

closed question- the question of the questionnaire, with the help of which primary marketing information is collected; it includes all possible answers, from which the respondent chooses his own. There are three types of closed questions:

Alternative (dichotomous). Assumes a “yes” or “no” answer, no third is given (simple, closed, alternative question). Alternative questions are very easy to use. Their interpretation is simple and unambiguous;

Multiple choice, for example: “Where do you keep your savings?”, where the following answers exist: “in the bank”; "in an insurance company"; "in the building company"; "houses" from which you can choose (cross out, leave, circle). The main disadvantage of multiple choice questions is the difficulty in formulating all possible answers, characteristics or factors;

Scale question. Assumes the presence of any scale: evaluative (excellent, good, satisfactory, bad, terrible); importance (exceptional, important, medium, small, negligible); Leikert scales (strongly agree, not sure, disagree, not true).

According to the form of questions, two groups are distinguished: 1) about facts or actions; 2) about opinions and intentions. In particular, the former include questions that characterize the purchase made (its type and size), the availability of goods in the use of the respondent, the cost of purchases, the prices at which the goods were purchased, etc. It is very difficult to formulate questions about the intentions and opinions of buyers, which can change and not be rigidly formulated.

An important role in the questionnaire is given to the so-called filtering questions that are asked if some of the questions do not apply to all respondents. For example: "Do you have this product?" If “no”, then “Are you going to buy it?” It is clear that the second question and all subsequent ones are addressed only to those who answered negatively to the first.

Sometimes so-called tabular questions are introduced - a combination of various questions, their design in the form of a table.

As an illustration, in fig. 2.4 shows the layout of the questionnaire, the purpose of which is to obtain information from consumers about the clothing market.

Continuation

With regard to the order in which the questions are presented in the questionnaire, it is not recommended to start the questionnaire with difficult or personal questions, or with questions that are not interesting for the respondents; such questions are recommended to be put in the middle or at the end of the questionnaire. The first question should be of interest to the respondents. It is desirable that the questions be presented in a certain logical sequence, allowing the individual topics to be considered as fully as possible. The transition to the next topic should begin with some introductory phrase. The questionnaire should not contain questions that are unwilling to be answered, cannot be answered, or do not require an answer. Sometimes you can get the information you want with the help of indirect questions. So, instead of asking a direct question about the income of the respondent, they ask what social group he considers himself to be (high-income, wealthy, middle-income, low-income, etc.).

The formulation of questions is a complex and time-consuming work that requires high qualifications, knowledge of economics, statistics and sociometry, and certain literary abilities. Despite the fact that there are uniform principles for questioning, it is impossible to mechanically copy the existing samples.

Particular attention should be paid to the design of the questionnaire, which sometimes turns out to be unsuccessful, inconvenient: the semantic blocks are not separated from each other, a poorly readable font is chosen, there is no space for codes, etc. If you do not pay attention to these factors in time, the work of the interviewer, and then the coder, the operator will be difficult and may even lead to errors.

The mailing/distribution of questionnaires can be a serious problem. During sales exhibitions, in the shop hall, on the street, etc. Questionnaires are distributed to everyone with a request to fill them out on the spot and return them to any of the employees. In essence, this is a random, non-repeating sample, the characteristics of which will be determined after the return of the questionnaires. Naturally, these questionnaires should include a minimum of questions and be simple in content. Very often, surveys are carried out during trial marketing. Sometimes the questionnaire is embedded in the form of a tear-off label in a popular publication. If you have good connections with the management of a certain enterprise or institution, then it can assist you in distributing the questionnaire among its employees.

Rice. 2.5. Questionnaire organization scheme

A widely used method is the layout of questionnaires in mailboxes (possibly by agreement with the postman). Usually, in this case, either mechanical sampling is used (for example, every tenth addressee), or serial (houses are selected in which the continuous distribution of questionnaires is carried out). In any case, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of non-return of questionnaires (up to 50% of the total number). Return of questionnaires by mail is paid in advance.

Given that the development of questionnaires is a creative task, its plan is drawn up in advance and discussed, linked to the overall objectives and goals of marketing research. The following scheme reflects a certain sequence of actions in the process of questioning (Figure 2.5).

Survey costs are quite high. For example, according to the consulting firm McQueen and Sotrapu, these costs depend on the number of respondents (Table 2.7).

Table 2.7 Survey Costs

From a financial point of view, large arrays of respondents are more efficient, and this is confirmed by the calculation of costs per respondent.

TEST QUESTIONS

1. What is called a survey? What types of surveys do you know?

2. For what purposes are focus groups formed?

3. What are the criteria for attracting participants to focus groups?

4. What are the requirements for the interviewer?

5. How is the questionnaire built? Name its structures.

TESTS

1. The panel is:

a) wooden paneling of the office of the manager of the company;

b) part of the street;

c) a permanent sample of persons/enterprises.

2. Omnibus is:

a) a double-decker bus in England;

b) a panel with a changing polling program;

c) a panel with a permanent polling program.

3. Questioning is:

a) a survey in the form of written answers to the questions given in the form of a table;

b) studying the biographical data of the respondent;

c) compiling a list of questions.

4. Content analysis is:

a) quantitative methods of document analysis;

b) bibliographic reference;

c) search for the source of information in the catalog.

5. The fan of questions / answers aims to:

a) give a list of open questions arranged in a logical sequence;

b) choose one or more options from the list of closed questions with prompted answers;

c) give a list of questions to which answers are given in the form of numbers.

THE TEXTS OF THE BOOKS BELONG TO THEIR AUTHORS AND ARE PLACED FOR INFORMATION

2.2.3. Survey methods (questionnaire, interview, conversation) .

2.2.3. Survey methods (questionnaire, interview, conversation)

A survey is a method of collecting primary information based on direct (conversation, interview) or indirect (questionnaire) socio-psychological interaction between the researcher and the respondent. The source of information in this case is the verbal or written judgment of a person.

The widespread use of this method is due to its versatility, comparative ease of application and data processing. The researcher in a short time can obtain information about the actual activity, actions of the respondent, information about his moods, intentions, assessments of the surrounding reality.

One of the difficulties faced by a researcher using survey methods is to ensure the validity and reliability of the data obtained. The information that the interviewer receives is subjective, as it depends on the degree of sincerity of the respondent, his ability to adequately assess his actions and personal qualities, as well as other people, ongoing events, etc. Therefore, the data obtained as a result of the survey should be compared with data obtained by other methods (experiment, observation, analysis of documentation, etc.).

The survey can be group and individual; oral and written.

Conversation is one of the survey methods, which is a relatively free dialogue between the researcher and the researched (researched) on a certain topic, i.e. a method of obtaining information based on verbal (verbal) communication. In a conversation, you can identify the relationship of the person being examined to people, their own behavior, events; determine the cultural level, features of moral and legal consciousness, the level of development of the intellect, etc.

So, a free, relaxed conversation, during which the investigator studies the main personality traits of the interlocutor, develops an individual approach and comes into contact with the interrogated; such a conversation very often precedes the main part of the interrogation and the achievement of the main goal - obtaining objective and complete information about the crime event. During the conversation, you should make a favorable impression on the interlocutor, arouse interest in the issues that are being discussed, the desire to answer them. What should you pay attention to when establishing personal contact with the interlocutor?

A climate favorable for conversation is created by:

– clear, concise and meaningful introductory phrases and explanations;

- showing respect for the personality of the interlocutor, attention to his opinion and interests (you need to make it feel);

- positive remarks (any person has positive qualities);

- a skillful manifestation of expression (tone, voice timbre, intonation, facial expressions, etc.), which is designed to confirm a person's conviction in what is being discussed, his interest in the issues raised.

A conversation between a police department psychologist and a victim as a result of a crime can and should cause a psychotherapeutic effect.

What is usually worthy of sympathy and compassion? This is grief and torment, all the troubles that came unexpectedly, the death of close relatives, illness and injury, loss of property, undeserved accusation and punishment.

Comprehension of the emotional states of another person, expressing sympathy for him, the ability to put himself in his place (the mechanism of empathy); demonstrating sympathetic attention to the urgent needs of a person is an important condition for establishing contact with the interlocutor.

The conversation should be well organized, as this ensures the effectiveness of its results, i.e.:

- specific tasks are set;

- a preliminary plan has been drawn up;

– a suitable time and place is chosen, taking into account their impact on the results;

- ways of fixing the information received in the conversation are chosen;

- created an atmosphere of mutual trust.

The conversation helps the psychologist and lawyer to demonstrate their positive qualities, the desire to objectively understand certain phenomena, which also helps to establish and maintain contacts with the person being interviewed. In the case when the focus of the conversation and the nature of the questions are set rigidly, when the interviewer only asks questions, and the respondent only answers them, we are dealing with another type of survey - an interview.

An interview is a method of obtaining the necessary information through a direct, purposeful conversation in the form of a question-answer.

The conversation, as a rule, is not limited in time and sometimes it is difficult to "fit" into the originally set direction. In the interview, the pace and plan of the conversation is “imposed”, the interviewer keeps more rigidly within the framework of the issues under discussion. During the interview, feedback is somewhat weakened - the interviewer maintains a neutral position, only fixes answers, statements, and it is often difficult for the interviewee to understand the attitude of the interviewer to his answers (does he accept them, believes, shares the same views). A significant part of the interrogation in the course of the ongoing investigation takes place in the form of an interview.

With the help of interviews, you can get a wide variety of information about the features of the activities of law enforcement agencies. Interviewing investigators and operatives allows you to learn about their professionalism, the difficulties they face, their opinion about the causes of crime and ways to reduce its level.

By interviewing judges, one can obtain information about the ways in which internal convictions are formed, the criteria for evaluating evidence, the methods of establishing psychological contact with the defendants, the advantages and disadvantages of the judicial procedure, etc.

Conducting conversations and interviews is a great art that both psychologists and lawyers should master. These survey methods require special flexibility and clarity, the ability to listen and at the same time conduct a survey along a given path, understand the emotional states of the interlocutor, responding to their changes, fix the external manifestations of these states (facial expressions, pantomime, redness, blanching of the skin of the face, tremor or obsessive hand movements).

Questioning is the conduct of a survey in writing. For this, a set of structurally organized questions (questionnaire) is used. The advantage of this method lies in the possibility of conducting a study of a large group of people at the same time and in the comparative ease of statistical data processing.

In the field of legal psychology, the questionnaire method was used in the study of the origin of criminal intent, professiograms, professional suitability, professional deformation of investigators and other specialists of the law enforcement system.

Drawing up a questionnaire is a complex process that requires a certain level of professional skill from the researcher, a clear understanding of the goals of the upcoming study. According to the form, the questions of the questionnaire are divided into: open (the answer is formed by the respondent in free form) and closed (the wording of the question contains a list of possible answers); direct (formulated in personal form) and indirect (formulated in impersonal form).

When compiling a questionnaire (interview plan), a number of general rules and principles should be followed:

- the wording of questions should be clear and precise, their content should be understandable to the respondent, corresponding to his knowledge and education;

- complex and polysemantic words should be excluded;

- there should not be too many questions, as interest is lost due to increasing fatigue;

– include questions that test the degree of sincerity.

Poll (questionnaire) method

The use of questionnaires or questionnaires is one of the most popular marketing research methods.

The questionnaire method is a psychological verbal-communicative method in which a formalized list of questions is used as a means of collecting information from an object - a questionnaire.

Questioning -- one of the main technical means of concrete social research; used in sociological, socio-psychological, economic, demographic and other studies.

During the survey, each person from the group selected for the survey is invited to answer in writing the questions posed in the form of a questionnaire.

During the survey, contact with the respondent is kept to a minimum. Questioning allows you to most strictly follow the planned research plan, since the “question-answer” procedure is strictly regulated.

With the help of the questionnaire method, it is possible to obtain a high level of mass research at the lowest cost. A feature of this method can be called its anonymity (the identity of the respondent is not recorded, only his answers are recorded). Questioning is carried out mainly in cases where it is necessary to find out the opinions of people on some issues and cover a large number of people in a short time.

Despite numerous advantages, the method has a number of disadvantages, among which the following can be noted:

· It is not known what level of detail in responses provides a reasonable response.

· Not every respondent correctly understands the meaning of the questions.

· Analysis of questionnaires allows you to understand what people think, but does not explain why they hold this point of view.

· A list of strengths and areas of activity requiring further improvement is not formed.

· The accuracy of the results depends on the quality of the questions asked.

According to the form, the questions are divided into open - it is proposed to give a free answer - and closed - the answer consists in choosing from several statements proposed in the questionnaire. Open-ended questions provide deeper information, but with a large number of questionnaires they lead to significant difficulties in processing due to non-standard answers.

Basic rules for constructing a questionnaire: logical sequence of topics covered by questions; the interest of the respondent should grow from question to question; the absence of too complex or intimate questions; compliance of the wording of questions with the educational level of the surveyed group; in closed questions, all possible answers should be provided; the total number of questions should not be too large - the survey should not tire or annoy the respondent.

Questioning can be carried out in three ways: the questionnaire is filled out in the presence of the collector individually; group filling in the presence of the collector; Respondents fill in the questionnaires on their own and, in order to maintain anonymity, submit questionnaires at the same time; "mail" questionnaire, when the questionnaire is distributed or sent to the house, and then returned to the respondents by mail.

Consider this method for obtaining data on consumer preferences of survey participants in a cultural environment. This survey involved 44 people. Segment group - students of senior classes of secondary school and higher educational institutions (Age from 15 years to 21 years). The method of questioning is postal. All participants were sent a questionnaire (see Appendix 2).

The analysis of these questionnaires showed the following results:

1) To the question “How do you most often spend your leisure time?” The most popular answers were “I visit cultural institutions (theaters, museums, discos, recreation centers, etc.) (45%), “I read books, periodicals” (45%), “I walk along the street” (41%). “I do various hobbies” (dancing, drawing, etc.) was answered by 36% of the respondents. The answer “watching TV” was the least popular (23%).

2) To the question “What cultural events and cultural institutions do you prefer?” the most popular answers were theaters (95%), cinemas (95%), museums (65%). Exhibitions were noted by 45% of respondents, discos and nightclubs - 41%. Pop music concerts are preferred by 23%, and classical music concerts by only 18%. The 'no one cares' option was not selected.

3) To the question “What cultural events and cultural institutions do you visit most often?” cinemas were the most frequent answer (77%). The remaining options did not pass the 50 percent barrier. Most often, 41% of respondents visit the theater, 36% visit exhibitions, and 27% go to museums. Discos and pop music concerts were chosen by 23%. Judging by this survey, the least attended are classical music concerts (4%). The option “everyone is indifferent” was not marked.

4) To the question "How often do you visit cultural institutions?" 50% of the respondents answered “once a week”, 30% once a month, 14% several times a week. The least popular options were once a year (4%) and I don't visit (2%).

5) To the question “With whom do you most often visit cultural institutions?” the following results were obtained: 86% prefer to visit cultural institutions with friends. This was the most popular answer, the other options did not even pass the 10 percent barrier. 7% of the respondents visit cultural institutions alone. The option “with your soul mate” was chosen by 5%, “with parents” - 2%. Not a single vote was received for the options “with children” and “whole family” due to the fact that the survey was conducted by a certain segment group - students.

6) To the question "What is your goal when you go to a cultural institution?" the most popular answer was "having fun" (68%) and learning more about culture (55%). Next came the options “to keep company and chat with friends (friend / girlfriend, family)” (28%) and “meet new people” (14%). The option to kill time was not chosen.

7) The question “Are you satisfied with the quality of cultural events (the level of professionalism of the actors, the variety of repertoires, the overall design)?” not only demanded to answer “Yes / No”, but also asked to indicate what did not suit the interviewee in the SCS institution.

Institutions were grouped into 3 types: 1) theater, cinema 2) exhibition, museum 3) disco, nightclub.

The survey showed that 91% were satisfied with the quality of theaters and cinemas, 9%, respectively, were not satisfied. The reasons for dissatisfaction were: “lack of worthy films”, “same type films”, “boring plays”. 86% were satisfied with the quality of exhibitions and museums, 14% were not satisfied. No reasons were given for dissatisfaction. 64% are satisfied with the quality of discos and nightclubs, 36% are not. The reasons for dissatisfaction were: “bad, boring music”, “high cost of alcohol in bars”, “mismatch of musical interests”.

8) To the question “Would you like to visit cultural institutions more often?” 95% of the respondents answered "YES" and 5% - no. To the question “If yes, then for what reasons do you visit less often than you want?” the most common answers were "no free time" (77%), financial difficulties (45%). Other options were also given: “no company” (16%) “health does not allow” (14%) “danger due to a criminal situation” (7%)

9) To the question “Are you attracted by various competitions, lotteries at cultural events?” "YES" answered 45.5%, "NO" - 54.5%

10) To the question “Do you visit bars, cafes in cultural institutions? "YES" answered 68%, "NO" - 32%

11) To the question “Do you think that there are not enough cultural institutions in your area of residence”? "YES" answered 66%, "NO" - 34%

“Which ones?”: “there is nothing in the area where I live” (23%), “theaters” (27%), “cinemas” (18%), “museums” (16%), “discotheques, nightclubs » (7%).

3. Questioning as a research method

Questioning is a procedure for conducting a survey in writing using pre-prepared forms. Questionnaires (from the French “list of questions”) are filled in by the respondents themselves.

This method has the following advantages:

High efficiency of obtaining information;

The possibility of organizing mass surveys;

Relatively low labor intensity of the procedures for preparing and conducting research, processing their results;

The lack of influence of the personality and behavior of the interviewer on the work of the respondents;

The lack of expression in the researcher of the relationship of subjective predilection for any of the respondents,

However, surveys also have significant disadvantages:

The lack of personal contact does not allow, as, say, in a free interview, to change the order and wording of questions depending on the answers or behavior of the respondents;

The reliability of such “self-reports” is not always sufficient, the results of which are influenced by the unconscious attitudes and motives of the respondents or their desire to look in a more favorable light, deliberately embellishing the real state of affairs.

Consider the main types of questions in the questionnaire.

1) about the identity of the respondent, relating to his gender, age, education, profession, marital status, etc. Their presence allows further processing of the survey material within a particular subgroup of people, if necessary, comparing similar information from different subgroups;

2) about the facts of consciousness, intended to reveal the opinions, motives, expectations, plans, value judgments of the respondents;

3) about the facts of behavior that reveal the real actions, actions and results of people's activities.

When processing data from large contingents of respondents, coding of responses to closed questions is used. To do this, all answers are accompanied by three-digit numbers, in which the first two digits indicate the serial number of the question, and the third indicates the serial number of the answer. In practice, such coding is also common, in which all numbers serve to indicate the ordinal numbers of answers. The subject is asked to underline or circle the codes of the selected answers.

There are several ways to improve control efficiency:

In the questionnaire, the main and control question should not be placed side by side, otherwise their relationship will be detected;

Answers to direct questions are best controlled by indirect questions;

It is necessary to control only the most significant questions in the questionnaire;

IV. Clarification of the wording of the instructions and the content of the questions;

V. Questioning;

VI. Generalization and interpretation of the results. Preparing of report.

Questionnaire composition. Such a standardized and correspondence conversation with a respondent has a fairly stable scenario. It usually begins with a brief introduction - an appeal to the respondent, which sets out the topic of the survey, its goals, the name of the organization or person conducting the survey, and the strict confidentiality of the information received.

Then, as a rule, instructions for filling out the form are set out. In the event that the nature of the questions or their form change throughout the questionnaire, the instructions may be not only at the beginning, but also in other parts of the form.

It is very rare that the process of filling out the questionnaire is of particular benefit to the interviewees. Therefore, usually the first questions are as easy and interesting as possible. It is important to make sure that the majority of respondents want to answer them. The functions of such questions-contactors are:

a) the formation of a setting for cooperation;

b) stimulating the interest of the subjects;

What type of question (according to the form of the answer and the method of formulation) is most preferable in this particular case?

Are there evasion options in a closed question? Are they needed?

Is there grammatical agreement between the question and the answers to it?

Were there any distortions when reprinting the questionnaire?

Questioning is a procedure for conducting a survey in writing using pre-prepared forms. Questionnaires (from the French “list of questions”) are filled in by the respondents themselves.

This method has the following advantages:

— high efficiency of obtaining information;

- the possibility of organizing mass surveys;

- relatively low labor intensity of the procedures for preparing and conducting research, processing their results;

- the lack of influence of the personality and behavior of the interviewer on the work of the respondents;

- the lack of expression in the researcher of the relationship of subjective predilection for any of the respondents,

However, surveys also have significant disadvantages:

- the lack of personal contact does not allow, as, say, in a free interview, to change the order and wording of questions depending on the answers or behavior of the respondents;

- the reliability of such “self-reports” is not always sufficient, the results of which are influenced by the unconscious attitudes and motives of the respondents or their desire to look in a more favorable light, deliberately embellishing the real state of affairs.

Consider the main types of questions in the questionnaire.

2) about the facts of consciousness, intended to reveal the opinions, motives, expectations, plans, value judgments of the respondents;

3) about the facts of behavior that reveal the real actions, actions and results of people's activities.

The use of closed questions in the questionnaire allows you to effectively compare the results of the respondents. However, they lack the completeness of expressions of individual opinions or assessments, which sometimes causes dissatisfaction of the subjects, and it is also known that such questions can provoke a series of rash, appropriately “mechanical” answers.

A semi-closed question is used if the compiler is not aware of all possible answers, or if he intends to more accurately and fully find out the individual points of view of the persons being examined. In addition to the list of ready-made answers, such a question contains the “other answers” column and a certain number of empty lines (usually five to seven);

An open-ended question assumes that the answer to it will be completely and completely formulated by the respondent himself,

Of course, this will greatly hinder the comparability of answers. Therefore, such questions are used either at the early stages of compiling the questionnaire, or when there is a need for the most complete expression of all individual answers available in the group. Such questions are also inappropriate in cases where the anonymity of respondents is of particular importance.

Questions can be direct or indirect, depending on how they are formulated.

A direct question is aimed at direct, open receipt of information from the respondent. It is expected that it will be given an equally direct and honest answer.

However, where it is required to express a sufficiently critical attitude towards themselves and others, many tend to confine themselves to socially approved answers, sometimes to the detriment of sincerity. Indeed, what will be the teacher's answer to the question "What prevents you from doing your classes well?" or a student's response "Why do you often miss lectures?"

In such cases, an indirect question is formed, which is usually associated with the use of some imaginary situation that masks the critical potential of the transmitted information. For example: "It's no secret that some of the students in your course rarely attend lectures." Why do you think? or “Sometimes you can hear the opinion that some teachers do not conduct their classes well. What explains this attitude towards work?

By function, the questions of the questionnaire are divided into information (basic), filters and control (clarifying).

At the same time, most of the questions are aimed at obtaining information from each of the respondents. This is the so-called. main questions.

Filter questions are used when information is needed not from the entire population of respondents, but only from a part of them. This is a kind of "questionnaire in the questionnaire." The beginning and end of the filter is usually clearly indicated graphically. For example:

“The next three questions are for psychology students only.

Are you a student of psychology? …

What is the quality of practical classes in the psychology of communication? ...

To what extent can the knowledge gained on them help you in your work in your specialty?

Attention! Questions for everyone.

Restrictions on the range of respondents, carried out by the filter, make it possible to avoid distortions of information introduced by the answers of insufficiently competent persons.

Control questions provide an opportunity to clarify the correctness of the information provided by the respondents, as well as to exclude unreliable answers or even questionnaires from further consideration.

These are usually questions of two types. The first are repetitions of informational questions formulated in other words. If the answers of the main and control question are diametrically opposed, they are excluded from the subsequent analysis. Other control questions serve to identify individuals who have an increased propensity to choose socially approved answers. They offer a number of answers where in practice there can be only a single answer. For example:

"Have you ever been naughty as a child?"

As can be seen from the nature of these questions, the likelihood of getting an honest, but not actually widespread, answer is very small.

There are several ways to improve control efficiency:

- in the questionnaire, the main and control questions should not be placed side by side, otherwise their relationship will be detected;

- answers to direct questions are better controlled by indirect questions;

- only the most significant questions in the questionnaire should be subjected to control;

- the need for control, as a rule, decreases if a significant part of the questions allows for evasion of the answer, expressions of uncertainty of opinion (such as “I don’t know”, “I find it difficult to answer”, “when how”, etc.).

Stages of preparation of the questionnaire.

I. Analysis of the survey topic, highlighting individual problems in it;

II. Development of a pilot questionnaire with a predominance of open questions;

III. Pilot survey. Analysis of its results;

IV. Clarification of the wording of the instructions and the content of the questions;

V. Questioning;

VI. Generalization and interpretation of the results. Preparing of report.

a) the formation of a setting for cooperation;

b) stimulating the interest of the subjects;

c) introducing respondents to the range of problems discussed in the questionnaire;

d) getting information.

These are followed by more complex questions that make up the main content of the questionnaire.

And, finally, in the final part of the form, easier questions again follow, which is associated with the onset of exhaustion of attention, with increased fatigue of the respondents.

Requirements for the wording of questions for the questionnaire:

Does the question contain hints, either explicitly or implicitly? (After all, a question like “What do you like about ...?” already has a certain external assignment, since it assumes that something “likes”)

Does the question exceed the level of memory or thinking of the respondent? (As an example, you can try to accurately answer a question such as “How many hours per month do you spend preparing for seminars?”)

Does it contain words that are incomprehensible to the respondents or have extremely vague content? (Suppose, such as "tolerance", "altruism", "rating", "infantilism", etc., or words like such "often", "rarely", "on average", ..., the content of which is very ambiguous for different not just a schoolboy, not every student will give an answer to the question "Do you often show conformity?" And how is it "often"? Once a day, a week, a year?)

Does the question hurt the dignity and pride of the respondent? Will it cause an excessive negative emotional reaction?

Isn't the question too long in terms of size? Are the answers to it overly detailed?

Is it not asked about several different subjects at the same time? Is there an error in the logic of presentation?

Will the question appeal to everyone? Is a filter needed?

Does the issue need to be controlled? In what exactly?

What type of question (according to the form of the answer and the method of formulation) is most preferable in this particular case?

Are there evasion options in a closed question? Are they needed?

Is there grammatical agreement between the question and the answers to it?

Were there any distortions when reprinting the questionnaire?

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

In preparation for the study, you need to decide on the following questions:

Speak each element, especially FOR WHAT?

If the answer is positive, we proceed to the study. Don't forget that there are ready-made studies that you can use for preparation!

For example, see VTsIOM.

THE RESEARCH PROCESS includes a number of stages:

Development of the research concept (problems and goals)

Development of a research plan (research method, plan and data collection form)

Data collection

Data processing and analysis

Preparing of report

Presentation of research results

RESEARCH METHODS

STAGES OF DEVELOPING THE QUESTIONNAIRE

STRUCTURE OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE

1) Preamble

2) Introductory questions / filtering questions

3) Key questions

4) Passport

5) Gratitude / opportunity to express an opinion

Show an example of a preamble on the next.

“Questioning as a method of pedagogical research. Types of questionnaires and questions»

RULES OF COMPOSITION OF QUESTIONS

Question Sequence:

1. The sequence of questions should correspond to the logic of the respondent. The order of the questions should facilitate the communication process.

2. Funnel principle: difficult questions in the middle of the questionnaire. At this point, the respondent is psychologically prepared to answer them and is not yet tired of the survey procedure.

3. Knowledge questions should not be asked after questions that provided information on the topic.

4. Questions of a personal nature (from the passport) should be asked at the end of the main part; in this case, the respondent's refusal to answer these questions will not affect the completion of the questionnaire as a whole. The answers in this part allow you to identify gender, age, marital status, etc. Quite often, respondents are reluctant to answer questions in the “passports” section, so it is better not to start with questions of this kind. For the same reason, personal income questions are asked last in the Personal Identification section. If it is necessary to involve people with very specific characteristics in the survey, then it is acceptable to place a number of demographic and status questions at the beginning of the main part of the questionnaire. An overly detailed "passport" may cause respondents to doubt the anonymity of the survey. Therefore, only the necessary questions are included.

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Types and types of questionnaire questions

Usually, all questions in the questionnaire are divided into: 1) content (questions about the facts of consciousness, behavior and personality of the respondent); 2) form (open and closed, direct and indirect); 3) methodical function (main and non-main, filter questions, trap questions, etc.) 4) relationship to the personality of the respondent (suggestive, provocative, delicate); 5) filling technique (difficult, difficult). The need for filter questions arises when the researcher needs to obtain data related not to the entire population of respondents, but only to some part of it. The purpose of control questions is to find out the stability or consistency of the respondent's answers that he gives to previous questions on the same topic. Contact questions are used to manage the psychological situation of the interview, to establish contact with the respondent, to create positive motivation for the survey. In the practice of surveys, most often this function is performed by questions that are the simplest in meaning and in terms of filling technique and at the same time provide the information necessary for the researcher.

1.5. Closed and open questions

According to their form or technique of filling questionnaire questions are divided into two main types - open and closed. Open-ended questions give the respondent the opportunity to independently formulate an answer, to reveal all the uniqueness of their individual consciousness, language, style.

Questioning as a research method

A closed question implies the presence of ready-made answers that the sociologist develops before the start of the survey, using his theoretical knowledge.

Closed questions are considered in which all answers without exception (alternatives) are listed and in which, in this way, the freedom of expression by the respondent of his opinion is reduced, if not to a minimum, then to very strict limits.

However, the sociologist should have a headache not only about the completeness of the list of alternatives. Care must be taken that the list of alternatives does not overlap. Common Mistake: “What is your average monthly income?” Answer options: 300-600 rubles; 600-900 rub. It is more correct to write: 300-600 rubles; 601-900 rub.

Closed questions do not fulfill their purpose if the main requirement is not met: it is necessary to foresee possible answers as much as possible. A closed question then allows a more rigorous interpretation of the answer. If the questionnaire writer included all alternatives, i.e. did not forget anyone's opinion, no matter how strange it may seem, he put almost all respondents on an equal footing. Consequently, he created more reliable grounds for himself to compare empirical data, to make the right choice.

Here it is golden rule of the questionnaire - put all respondents in conditions of equal choice. It applies to both closed and open questions.

An inexperienced researcher, as a rule, finds it difficult to list all possible answers. In this case, use a weakened version of the closed question - semi-closed question. At the end of the list of answers, leave space (two or three lines) and write "" Other answers ..." Such a compromise requires additional costs, because the open-ended form of the question at the end ("other answers ...") involves encoding the data received by the researcher himself. questionnaire, two or three additional codes, indicate their numbers at the end of the semi-closed question, and later, when processing the entire array of questionnaires, circle the desired code yourself.

Semi-closed questions are also used by experienced researchers when, when asking a closed question, they are not sure that the set of answers they offer is complete or exhaustive.

Closed questions can be alternative and non-alternative. Alternative questions require the respondent to choose only one answer from a set of options. As a result, when statistically processed, the sum of the answers to all questions (including the “no answer” options) will always be 100% (that is, exactly the same as the sample size). Typical alternative questions are questions about the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents (gender, age, education, socio-professional status, average per capita income for a specific period of time). Example of an alternative question: "Do you have children?" 1 - yes, I have; 2 - No, I don't.

Questionnaire composition

1 Introduction acquaints the respondent with the goals of scientific research, the content of the questionnaire, gives him the necessary information about the rules for filling out the questionnaire. It is intended to show how the respondent will benefit by taking part in it. The main task of the Introduction is to convince the respondent to take part in the survey. In the introduction to the questionnaire, it is necessary to indicate anonymity and confidentiality, as well as place the rules for filling out. In case of anonymity, the respondent must be sure that his name and other details will not be known to the researchers. In the case of confidentiality, it is assumed that the name of the respondent is known only to the researcher, and by no means to the commissioner of this survey 4 . In telephone interviews and in interviews involving the presence of interviewers, the survey is only confidential. In the practice of Western sociologists, it is customary in the Introduction to give examples of questions with a complex filling technique and explain the rules for working with them.

2. Props part. AT the requisite part provides information relating to the respondents. In addition, the questionnaire itself is identified here, i.e. it is given a name, the date, time and place of the survey, the name of the interviewer are indicated.

3. Informative part consists of substantive questions (closed and open questions, filter questions, “menu” questions, etc.) that give the sociologist all the necessary information about the object of study. Questions follow with increasing degree of difficulty.

4. Classification part contains socio-demographic and vocational information about the respondents. "Passport".

5. Final part questionnaire contains gratitude to the person responsible for participating in the study.

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Analysis of the results of a sociological survey

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For the study, a questionnaire developed by Kimberly Young was used. It contains 20 questions. I added questions 21-23 to find out the popularity of social networks, the age and gender of the respondents. The questionnaire questions were printed out and offered to the respondents. Answers were written on separate sheets. Part of the survey was conducted through the VKontakte system. The study was conducted on the basis of a quota sample according to the age limit:

1 group - 14 years old

Group 2 - 15 years old

Group 3 - 16 years old

Group 4 - 17 years old

Group 5 - 18 years and older.

In each group, 25 to 32 people were interviewed. There are 132 people in total. Some of the questionnaires were not processed for a number of reasons: there were no answers to all questions, answers were given formally (for example, all answers were “never”), answers were given “yes” or “no”. 126 questionnaires remained in processing. All data was entered into a table. Information was processed manually. General data were formed using mathematical calculations. After counting, the following were determined in the table:

- total and percentage of answers "sometimes", "regularly", "often", "always";

- the age group that stands out for its answers;

- not chosen by any age group of answers;

are the most popular answers.

There may be some error in the survey results. The reasons for its appearance:

- formal answers of respondents (according to general statistics, there are 2-5% of such answers);

All answers were grouped depending on the stage and task of the study.

At the first stage, it was necessary to check the level of dependence on social networks, identifying the most dependent age group. The Internet and social networks are the subject of reflection for many. 64% of respondents noted that they console themselves with the thought of visiting the Internet or the network. This is also confirmed by the answers to question 11 - 68% find themselves looking forward to being online again. Most of them are 14 year olds. Only 40% do not think about visiting the network and do not plan what they will do on the Internet. 45% believe that life without the Internet is often boring and joyless, and 55% express their annoyance if they are distracted from being online, with 3 teenagers always doing this. Thus, we can conclude that the majority of respondents are addicted to social networks, the most dependent age group is teenagers aged 14-15.

At the second stage of the study, the preferences of virtual life were tested in real life, the factors confirming these preferences were identified. Most respondents say they sometimes spend more time online than they intended. Teenagers aged 14 (88%) spend the most time online. 38% of respondents sometimes neglect household chores for the sake of visiting a social network, 27% do this extremely rarely. But, one way or another, only 22% never put social networking in a more important place than household chores. 23% of respondents are not ready to exchange communication with friends in real life for a virtual one. But most of the respondents sometimes put virtual communication in the first place. This is confirmed by the answers to the 4th question - 63% easily make online acquaintances.

QUESTIONNAIRE AS A METHOD OF SOCIOLOGICAL RESEARCH The pioneer of using

59% choose to meet up with friends, sacrificing online visits. Visitors to the network do not notice that their educational success suffers and their performance decreases. Only 3% noted that the Internet always interferes with the educational process and reduces labor productivity. 72% of respondents are willing to sacrifice sleep for the sake of visiting the network, with 15% do it often or always. 37% noted that they may experience nervousness and depression if they are not online. A large number of dissatisfied with the lack of the opportunity to be online among teenagers 14 years old. Thus, we see that many of the respondents neglect real life for the sake of the virtual one, they feel discomfort if they are not online.

At the third stage of the study, the ability to control one's time spent on the network was tested. 80% can't get out of the network in time, most of my peers are like that. It is very difficult to reduce the time spent on the network, only 37% always manage to cope with this task. 62% of respondents do not even hide the amount of time they are online. Some of the answers helped draw conclusions about the reasons for the popularity of social networks and the emergence of addiction. 42% of close people are not interested in the amount of time they spend online. Not a single respondent noted that someone is constantly interested in this issue. Among adolescents aged 14, only 10% noted that others rarely or sometimes show interest in how much they are online. 60% are not always ready to tell what they are doing online and take a defensive position. Most of them are 14 year olds. Therefore, we can conclude that most network users cannot control their time spent on the network and reduce the time spent on the network.

In addition, I determined the degree of dependence of each respondent. In accordance with the K. Young test, addiction can be diagnosed in respondents who scored more than 50 points. I also identified a group of people who are close to such an addiction, who scored from 40 to 50 points. Given the margin of error, these people can also be addicted. As a result, it turned out that 12 people are addicted to social networks, another 12 are close to this addiction. The largest number of addicts among teenagers is 14 years old. No social media addicts at age 16. Not a single person who needs the help of a psychologist has been recorded. The data is recorded in a chart.

By deriving the average addiction score, I got 33 points, which corresponds to the absence of addiction. General data is also presented in a chart. After analyzing it, it can be seen that most of them do not have dependence, 10% have prerequisites (taking into account the second reason for the error, they can also be attributed to the group of dependent ones).

When analyzing the questionnaires, the hypothesis that if social networks are the place of greatest stay, then virtual life will replace real life, as you lose the ability to control your time on the network, was confirmed. During the survey, it turns out that more than half of the respondents:

- prefer virtual life to real life;

— can not control their time spent on the network.

Conclusion

It is impossible to evaluate social networks only positively or negatively. A social network today is an opportunity to create your own "microworld" in the format of a personal web page - and at the same time the end of all privacy and wide access to personal information of an unlimited number of users.

Satisfying the need for information about the lives of relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances, alas, often develops into compulsive (obsessive) curiosity with incessant access to the resource in order to “be aware” of all changes in the “life” of a virtual communication partner. Developing effective communication skills to establish relationships using a minimum of expressive means - and traditional (in 90% of cases) frustration in situations of real contact with a person “on the other side of the monitor”. The gradual transfer of real relationships (due to their complexity and ambiguity) into the virtual sphere due to the lack of desire (and ... time) to build “online” communication - alas, but the phrase “I’m running now, I don’t even have time to write down your number, find me Vkontakte !" becoming increasingly relevant in our information society…

In the course of my work, I learned the history of the creation and development of social networks, found out their current situation.

After doing the research, I concluded that next to me there are not so few "independent" from social networks. Especially teenagers 14-15 years old experience such dependence. At this age, teenagers experience difficulties in communication, and online communication eliminates these difficulties.

The hypothesis put forward by me was confirmed. To solve this problem, I would suggest the following options:

1) Informing young people and their parents about Internet addiction;

2) Formation in adolescents of communication skills with peers (psychologists should be involved here);

3) Helping young people, especially teenagers, in choosing additional activities (parental help is needed)

While working on the project, I realized that I was not addicted, but nevertheless I reconsidered my views as an Internet user - it is necessary to be less online and live more in real life.

Sources used

1) Wikipedia. [Electronic resource]: Free encyclopedia - Access mode: http://ru.wikipedia.org

2) Voiskunsky A.E. Internet addiction: an actual problem [Electronic resource]: Cyberpsychology. – Access mode: http://cyberpsy.ru

6) Sociological polls [Electronic resource]: Sociology. – Access mode: http://socio.rin.ru

http://internetua.com/

http://secl.com.ua

http://internetua.com/

http://cyberpsy.ru

http://shkolazhizni.ru

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Conducting a survey, whether it's a survey of employee satisfaction with work and rewards, planning a team building event, or determining the consumer loyalty index (NPS), comes down to four steps.

Conducting an online survey will reduce the time for conducting a survey. Testograf.ru offers to do this for free. Creating a survey and distributing a link to it does not require much effort and time, and the results are processed automatically online.

The stages of conducting a survey are the same for both an online survey and its usual paper form.

Create a survey

4 steps in conducting an online survey:

1. Create a survey. Decide on the main objectives of the survey, formulate questions and possible answers. In order for your survey to be effective, use the rules for compiling surveys and sample questionnaires.
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2. Collection of responses. Send the survey link to the database of email addresses, post it on the company website and in social networking groups. If you plan to survey a wide audience and are not sure that you know how to reach it, order the collection of answers by the Testograph team.
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3. Processing of results.

3. Questioning as a research method

The results are processed automatically in real time. Use filters to find dependencies between respondents' answers.
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4. Summing up. The final stage, which requires the most attention. What do the survey results say? What dependencies have been identified? Perhaps, during the survey, problems were discovered that you had not thought about before, and it is worth conducting a survey that will help you better understand and evaluate the current situation.
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Online surveys bring maximum information at minimum cost. Use this opportunity. Conduct regular employee surveys, get feedback from customers, probe potential markets - the possibilities of online surveys are unlimited.