Evaluating the Questionnaire

Before sending the questionnaire to the respondents, it must be evaluated in terms of certain characteristics.
Some of these are:
a. Is the questionnaire attractive?
b. Is it organized in its proper format?
c. Is the length reasonable, that is, not boring to fill up?
d. Are the questions brief, clear and unequivocal?
e. Are the responses objective requiring only check marks, single letters, numbers or words?
f. Are the questions that are unavoidably to be answered in essay from reduced to the minimum?
g. Are the directions clear and unequivocal?
h. Are the spaces for replies adequate and aligned at the left side?
i. Are all the questions relevant to the study?
j. Are there enough and adequate categories for approximate replies?
k. Are all the questions worded carefully and in correct grammar?
l. Are all the questions stated in the affirmative?
m. Are there adequate and appropriate options or choices for multiple response questions?
n. Are there catch-all words or phrases for multiple response questions?
o. Are the respondents anonymous?
p. Has the questionnaire been pretested and found to be valid and reliable?
q. Is the questionnaire free from all sorts of bias?
r. Are the data to be gathered by the questionnaire adequate for the study?
s. Is there a good cover letter to accompany the questionnaire?

Here is a sample cover letter:

Dear ( name of the respondent),
Please be informed that I am conducting a study on the teaching of science in the high schools of
Province A. In this connection, I have constructed a questionnaire to gather information for my study. The
investigation is important to the Division of Province A. In fact, the Division Superintendent, Dr. ( name of
Division Superintendent) has encouraged me to conduct the survey and promised to help me get your
cooperation. ( Please see his attached letter of endorsement). Your participation in the study by way of
answering the questionnaire is very vital. Without it, the study will not be as complete as it should be.
Kindly fill up the questionnaire and return it to me using the enclosed, stamped return envelop to your
principal.
Please feel assured that your anonymity and the information you will give will be treated with the
strictest confidentiality.
Thank you very much for your very kind response to my request and if you are interested, I will
supply you with the results of my study.

Very sincerely yours,

(Signature over printed name)