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Asking Questions - The Definitive Guide To Questionnaire Design ...

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ORGANIZING AND DESIGNING QUESTIONNAIRES 307<br />

the respondent and should also look professionally designed. All<br />

self-administered questionnaires should be printed on paper of sufficient<br />

quality that the print or writing on the reverse side cannot<br />

be seen. Forms that are blurred or blemished in any way or that are<br />

difficult to read because the ink is too light should not be used.<br />

Dillman (1978) argues that the front and back covers of selfadministered<br />

questionnaires need particular attention. He suggests<br />

that the front cover should contain a study title, a graphic illustration,<br />

any needed directions, and the name and address of the study<br />

sponsor. We would agree with these requirements for general population<br />

samples where a booklet form is used. For samples of special<br />

populations such as professional groups and for short two-page questionnaires,<br />

we believe the illustration may be omitted. If an illustration<br />

is used, it should be neutral. An outline map of the state<br />

being studied would be one such example. As Dillman (p. 150)<br />

points out: “A view of a pristine wilderness area on the questionnaire<br />

cover would be highly inappropriate for a study seeking to<br />

determine the relative priorities for economic growth versus environmental<br />

preservation.”<br />

<strong>The</strong> back cover of a questionnaire is usually blank and can be<br />

used for additional comments by the respondent. For some studies<br />

the mailing label is placed on the back cover and the questionnaire<br />

is sent in a window envelope. <strong>The</strong> mailing label ensures that the<br />

respondent’s name is on the completed questionnaire, so that for<br />

follow-up procedures it is possible to determine who has returned a<br />

questionnaire. On a study of about 40,000 college graduates, only<br />

five objected to this procedure and scratched out their names. If any<br />

of the information being obtained is sensitive or confidential, however,<br />

this procedure should not be used. Instead a code number<br />

should be placed on the first page of the questionnaire.<br />

Use of Blank Space<br />

Perhaps the most common mistake many researchers make when<br />

constructing a questionnaire is to crowd questions together in the

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