Guidelines for
Designing a
Questionnaire
Problem:
The decreased rate of undergraduates’ participation in extracurricular activities
results in missed opportunities to develop the interpersonal skills needed for the
workplace.
Academic Load X
Drilling down
Peer Pressure X
Lack of Interest X
Social Media Addiction √
Forming a Measurable Hypothesis
Hypothesis:
Social media addiction reduces
participation of undergraduates’ in
extracurricular activities.
Identify your Terms
Use synonyms, example, types or symptoms
Social Media Addiction Extracurricular Activities
1. Frequent use of social 1. Participation in
media Apps ushering events
2. Spending much time 2. Taking an internship
chatting on WhatsApp
3. Participation in charity
3. Constant check of
Facebook notifications events
4. Being over occupied with 4. Joining students’
following Instagram activity clubs
updates
Types of Questions (Technicalities)
Yes/No (Closed Q: Do you feel useless at times? (Choose one option)
ended Q) Yes □ no □
Scale (Closed Q: On a scale from 1 tilI 5 choose the best that describes your feeling (1 strongly
ended Q) disagree and 5 strongly disagree)
- Likert scale (3, 5 or 7
choices) + Scale line
I feel that I am a person of worth, at least on an equal plane with others.
- Middle choice should
be neutral/ average Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
- Each point of the
scale should be
defined
Multiple Choice Q: Which one of the following statements leads to self worthlessness? (Choose
(Closed ended Q) one option)
- Keep consistency □ Level of academic success
regarding the number/ □ athletic ability
length of choices □ Perceived appearance
- One choice is □ Other (Please specify):…………………….
required, the rest are
distractors
Checklist (Closed Q: In which of the following situations do you regularly feel dissatisfied with your
ended Q) appearance? (Check all that apply)
- Choices range from □ Parental criticism
5 to 7 options □ TV commercials depicting the ideal shape
□ Peer influence
□ Social stereotypes
□ I am satisfied with my body shape
Types of Questions (Technicalities)
Ranking (Closed Q: Rank the factors that develop self confidence in the order of importance , from 1
ended Q) (most important) to 5 (least important):
- Choices range from □ Parental praise
5 to 7 options to be □ Flawless body image
arranged in order of □ Outstanding academic achievement
preference □ Peer praise
□ Feeling of being needed
Fill in the blanks Q: In not more than 3 words, complete the sentence:
Not more than 3
words
I consider myself worthy when …………………………………….. among my
peers.
WH Open-ended Q: In 1 sentence, answer the following question:
Question What are the best ways of enhancing one’s self worth?
- In 1 sentence ……………………………………..
N.B.
▪ Use clear Navigational Instructions beside each question.
▪ Use a maximum of 5 types of questions (preferably 2 or 3 types only).
▪ Categorize questions by types.
Test the hypothesis through a
questionnaire which includes :
* An Introduction
* Questions Section ( 8 questions)
* Section of Demographics
Refer to
Sample Questionnaire
on the CMS!
▪ Introduction
We are a group of Management students in the
German University in Cairo. We are trying to investigate
ways to help undergrads to budget their time effectively.
The questionnaire will be filled anonymously in less
than 5 minutes. Your participation is highly appreciated.
- Hypothesis must not be revealed. 1. Who conducts the questionnaire
2. General idea about the topic
3. Assurance of confidentiality
4. How long it will take
5. Appreciation of efforts
▪ Questions Section ( 8 questions)
( 2 General Questions/ 6 Specific Questions)
1. If you have free time, would you rather prefer to N.B.
spend it hanging out with friends? (Choose one
• The 1st question should
answer only) be a General Question.
a. Yes b. No
• The General Questions
should be related to the
topic.
N.B.
• Specific one variable
2. Do you have a role in non-academic programs? questions asking about one
(Choose one answer only) variable only.
a. Yes b. No • Specific one variable
questions need at least one
question asking about the
other variable.
3. In your opinion, not being interested in joining students’ activity clubs is due
to………………………………… (Choose one answer only)
a. Academic workload per week
b. Frequently hanging out with friends
c. Excessive use of social media Apps
d. Other, please specify:……………………………….
N.B.
- Specific relational questions should not reveal the hypothesis.
→ Use synonyms, example, types or symptoms
- Specific relational questions should not lead the respondents towards
specific answers.
→ Use distractors that logically fit as other possible answers.
- Choices are of different connotations.
4. For an undergrad, spending much time communicating with friends on Facebook or
WhatsApp would lead to………………………………… (Choose one answer only)
a. Poor academic performance
b. No time to take an internship
c. Improved interpersonal skills
d. None of the above
N.B.
- Specific relational questions should not reveal the hypothesis.
→ Use synonyms, example, types or symptoms
- Specific relational questions should not lead the respondents
towards specific answers.
→ Use distractors that logically fit as other possible answers
- Choices are of different connotations
5. On a scale from 1 to 5 ( 1 is very poor…. 5 is very good), how do you rate
your time management skills?
Very poor Poor Neutral Good Very good
1 2 3 4 5
N.B.
• 2nd General Question should
be question number 4, 5 or 6
6- On a scale from 1 to 5 ( 1 is never…. 5 is always), how frequently do you check
Instagram reels?
Never Rarely Sometimes Often Always
1 2 3 4 5
N.B. Specific one variable Q6 (asking about the 2nd variable).
7. Check the statement/s that best describe the consequences of excessive
communication via WhatsApp ( You may choose more than one answer)
a. Enhancing social skills
b. Miscommunicating with others Specific relational Question
c. Not volunteering in charity activities - Does not reveal the hypothesis
- Does not lead the respondents
d. Hunting for job opportunities towards a specific answer
e. Lowering GPA
8. Complete the following in not more than 3 words:
--------------------------------------------- is the main reason for an undergrad’s inability
to join student’s activity clubs .
Specific relational Question
▪ Demographics Section
- Age
- Gender
o Male
o Female
- Major/ Profession: ___________________________
N.B. Demographics questions may vary depending on the population.
Points to remember:
• Do not reveal the hypothesis by using the same wording of your variables
or asking directly about the hypothesis. Use synonyms, example, types or
symptoms.
• Do not lead the respondents towards specific answers or corner them.
Use distractors.
• Ask about one aspect at a time.
• Use Multiple-choice questions whenever possible.
• Put your questions in logical order. Start with an easy General Question
moving on to more specific questions, and leave Open ended questions till
the end.
• Categorize questions by type and write clear navigational instructions
beside each question.
Design & Format
• Use “Times New Roman font / size 14” for the questions.
• Use a different font size for the navigational instructions.
• Leave double-space between questions.
• Separate each question from the next with a black line.
• Print the questionnaire on good quality paper.
• Use brightly colored paper for the cover page of your questionnaire
with your names, ID numbers, tutorial number and tutor's name on.
Language
• Do not use any jargons or abbreviations unless you
explain them. Use “standard” vocabulary and grammar.
• Do not use double negative, and if you use negative
articles, underline or highlight the negative word.
• Check your grammar and spelling carefully.
