Quantitative research questionnaires are preferably used during quantitative research. They are a well-structured set of questions designed specifically to gather specific, closed-ended responses from participants. This enables researchers to collect numerical data and gain a comprehensive understanding of a particular event or issue.
Qualitative research questionnaires often include open-ended questions that enable participants to express themselves freely.
Quantitative research questionnaires contain closed-ended and specific questions, such as multiple-choice and Likert scales, to assess individuals’ behavior. They are commonly used in various fields, including psychology, medicine, chemistry, and economics.
Example:
Let’s see how you can write quantitative research questions by going through some examples:
- How much do British people consume per week?
- What is the percentage of students living in hostels in London?
Types of Quantitative Research Questions With Examples
After learning what a quantitative research questionnaire is and what quantitative research questions look like, it’s time to thoroughly discuss the different types of quantitative research questions to explore this topic further.
Dichotomous Questions
Dichotomous questions are those with a margin for only two possible answers. They are usually used when the answers are “Yes/No” or “True/False.” These questions significantly simplify the research process and help collect simple responses.
Example:
Have you ever visited Istanbul?
Multiple Choice Questions
Multiple-choice questions have a list of possible answers for the participants to choose from.
They help assess people’s general knowledge, and the data gathered by multiple-choice questions can be easily analysed.
Example:
Which of the following is the capital of France?
Multiple Answer Questions
Multiple-answer questions are similar to multiple-choice questions. However, participants have multiple answers to choose from.
They are used when the questions can’t have a single, specific answer.
Example:
Which of the following movie genres are your favourite?
Likert Scale Questions
Likert scale questions are used when measuring the preferences and emotions of participants on a scale from one extreme to another.
The scales are usually applied to measure likelihood, frequency, satisfaction, and agreement. The Likert scale has only five options to choose from.
Example:
How satisfied are you with your job?
Semantic Differential Questions
Similar to Likert scales, semantic differential questions are also used to measure participants’ emotions and attitudes.
The only difference is that instead of using extreme options such as “strongly agree” and “strongly disagree,” opposites of a particular choice are provided to reduce bias.
Example:
Please rate the services of our company.
Rank Order Questions
Rank-order questions are typically used to measure the preferences and choices of participants efficiently.
In this scenario, multiple options are presented, and participants are asked to rank them according to their own perspective. This helps to create a good participant profile.
Example:
Rank the given books according to your interest.
Matrix Questions
Matrix questions are similar to Likert scales.
In Likert scales, participants’ responses are measured through separate questions, while in matrix questions, multiple questions are compiled in a single row to simplify the data collection method.
Example:
Rate the following activities that you do in daily life
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How To Write Quantitative Research Questions?
Quantitative research questions enable researchers to gather empirical data to address their research questions.
Here are the steps to follow to write quantitative research questions efficiently.
Step 1: Determine the Research Goals
The first step in writing quantitative research questions is to determine your research goals.
Determining and confirming your research goals significantly helps you understand what kind of questions to create and for which grade.
Efficiently determining the research goals also reduces the need for further modifications in the questionnaire.
Step 2: Be Mindful About the Variables
There are two variables in the questions: independent and dependent. It is essential to decide what the dependent variable is in your questions and what the independent variable is.
It is significantly helpful to understand where to emphasize and where not. It also reduces the probability of additional and vague questions.
Step 3: Choose the Right Type of Question
It is also essential to determine the correct type of questions to add to your questionnaire.
Whether you want Likert scales, rank-order questions, or multiple-answer questions, choosing the right type of questions will help you measure individuals’ responses efficiently and accurately.
Step 4: Use Easy and Clear Language
Another thing to keep in mind when writing questions for a quantitative research questionnaire is to use clear and concise language.
Quantitative research is conducted to measure specific and straightforward responses in an empirical form. Using clear and understandable language in questions makes a significant difference.
Step 5: Be Specific About The Topic
Always be mindful and specific about your topic. Avoid writing questions that stray from your subject, as they can cause participants to lose interest.
Use the basic terms of your selected topic and gradually go deeper. Also, remember to align your topic and questions with your research objectives and goals.
Step 6: Appropriately Write Your Questions
After considering all the points discussed above, it’s time to formulate your questions accordingly.
- Don’t just haste in writing.
- Think twice about the result of a question and then consider writing it in the questionnaire.
- Remember to be precise while writing. Avoid overwriting.
Step 7: Gather Feedback From Peers
When you have finished writing questions, gather feedback from your researcher peers.
- Write down all the suggestions and feedback given by your peers.
- Don’t panic over the criticism of your questions.
- Remember that it’s still time to make necessary changes to the questionnaire before launching your campaign.
Step 8: Refine and Finalise the Questions
After gathering peer feedback, make necessary and appropriate changes to your questions.
- Be mindful of your research goals and topic.
- Try to modify your questions accordingly.
- Also, be mindful of the theme and colour scheme of the questionnaire that you decided on.
- After refining the questions, finalise your questionnaire.
Types of Survey Questionnaires in Quantitative Research
Quantitative research questionnaires typically include closed-ended questions that enable researchers to gather accurate and specific responses from participants.
They don’t contain open-ended questions, unlike qualitative research, where responses are measured through interviews and focus groups. Effective combinations of questions are used in quantitative research surveys.
However, here are the types of surveys in quantitative research:
Descriptive Survey
The descriptive survey is used to obtain information about a particular variable. It is used to associate a quantity and quantify research variables.
The questions associated with descriptive surveys mostly start with “What is” and “How much”.
Example:
A descriptive survey to measure how much money children spend on toys.
Comparative Survey
A comparative survey is used to establish a comparison between one or more dependent variables and two or more comparison groups.
This survey aims to form a comparative relation between the variables under study.
The structure of the question in a comparative survey is, “What is the difference in [dependent variable] between [two or more groups]?”.
Example:
A comparative survey on the difference in political awareness between Eastern and Western citizens.
Relationship-Based Survey
A relationship-based survey is used to understand the relationship or association between two or more independent variables and one or more dependent variables.
Cause-and-effect relationships between two or more variables are measured in relationship-based surveys.
The structure of questions in a relationship-based survey is, “What is the relation [between or among] [independent variable] and [dependent variable]?”.
Example:
What is the relationship between education and lifestyle in America?
Advantages & Disadvantages of Questionnaires in Quantitative Research
Quantitative research comes with various advantages, but it also has its disadvantages.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| It is an efficient source for quickly collecting data. | It restricts the depth of the topic during collection. |
| There is less risk of subjectivity and research bias. | There is a high risk of artificial and unrealistic expectations of research questions. |
| It significantly helps to collect extensive insights into the population. | It overemphasises empirical data, avoiding personal opinions. |
| It focuses on simplicity and particularity. | There is a risk of oversimplicity. |
| There are clear and achievable research objectives. | There is a risk of additional amendments and modifications. |
Quantitative Research Questionnaire Example
Warm welcome, and thank you for participating in our survey. Please provide your response to the questions below.
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Part 1: Multiple Choice Questions. |
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i) What is your age group?
ii) What is your gender?
ii) Have you graduated?
iii) Are you employed?
iv) Are you married?
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Part 2: Likert Scale Questions
Statements:
1. I have tried online shopping.
2. I have good experience with online shopping.
3. I have a bad experience with online shopping.
4. I received my order on time.
5. I like physical shopping more.
Responses:
Strongly Disagree – Disagree – Neutral – Agree – Strongly Agree
Frequently Asked Questions
To write a perfect quantitative research question, first define goals, then identify variables, and last but not least, choose question types by using precise language.
Independent and dependent variables help define the focus of a quantitative question, making the collected data measurable and facilitating cause-and-effect or relational outcomes.
Likert scales measure agreement on a scale ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” On the other hand, semantic differential scales are based on opposite adjectives that measure attitudes and emotions.
