nicole kotras masters thesis

(iii) The questionnaire may be completed at the respondent's convenience;
(iv) Greater assurance of anonymity;
(v) Standardized wording;
(vi) No interview bias;
(vii) Securing information. The mailed questionnaire allows the respondent to consult his
or her records, confer with colleagues, or conduct research before answering; and
(viii) Accessibility.
The disadvantages of mailed questionnaires, as cited by Bailey (1987) include:
(i) Lack of flexibility in the questions asked;
(ii) Low response rate;
(iii) Verbal behaviour only;
(iv) No control over environment. There is no assurance that the respondent will be able
to complete the questionnaire in private;
(v) No control over question order;
(vi) Any of the questions may remain unanswered;
(vii) Cannot record spontaneous answers;
(viii) Difficult to separate bad addresses from non-responses;
(ix) No control over date of response;
(x) Cannot use complex questionnaire format; and
(xi) Possibly biased sample.
Selltiz, Johada, Deutsch, and Cook (1959) listed a number of factors which could
affect the number of questionnaires returned and the adequacy of data. Several of these
factors were incorporated in the construction of the employed questionnaire. Regarding the
questionnaire length, it is suggested that a less cluttered format is preferable, even if it
requires a longer questionnaire. The cover letter, which explained the nature and purpose of
the study, as well as the enlisting of the respondent's co-operation, was chosen to follow a
personalized format. A personalized letter was typed rather than reproduced, addressed to
the respondent and signed by the researcher (See Appendix B). Regarding the ease of
completing and returning the questionnaire, this should be uncomplicated for the respondent
to complete. Good questionnaires have clear and adequate instructions for completing the
questionnaire, clear response categories, few open-ended questions, and are not too long.
Furthermore, it is common practise for the researcher to provide explicit mailing instructions,
and to supply a self-addressed and stamped envelope. Finally, regarding the nature of
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