Your Opinion, Please!

How to Build the Best Questionnaires in the Field of Education
Second Edition
James B. Cox - JK Educational Associates, Anaheim, CA
Keni Brayton Cox - California State University, Fullerton, USA
Your Opinion, Please!
December 2007 | 136 pages | Corwin
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Paperback
ISBN: 9781412955393
Available from January 0001

Description

"The authors' thoughtful treatment and discussion of the subject deftly walks the reader through each stage of the survey questionnaire process. The book uses terrific examples, gives clear direction, and is an essential reference for survey research in education."
—Lawrence Machi, Professor of Organizational Leadership
University of La Verne

"More and more, district leaders are needing to collect perceptual data through surveys. This book provides guidance in a concise format for busy educators who may not have had training related to survey development."
—Ronald L. Russell, Associate Director
Loess Hills Area Education Agency 13, IA

A user-friendly guide to developing questionnaires that work!

Since the first edition of Your Opinion, Please! was published, the demand for accurate information and efficient ways of collecting data has increased in all arenas, and the field of education is no exception.

Written by experts, this accessible resource presents the vital elements for creating any type of survey or questionnaire. The second edition has been updated with a significant discussion on the value of using the Internet—and pitfalls to avoid—when gathering information and developing and distributing questionnaires. The updates also include a new chapter on designing questionnaires, in response to the increasing body of research focused on the design elements of questionnaire development.

The authors show novice and experienced researchers how to construct a basic questionnaire, collect and analyze the data, and report the results. The material takes readers through the essential stages of questionnaire development and covers:

  • Establishing and clarifying the guiding questions
  • Designing the questionnaire
  • Formatting responses
  • Categorizing responses by group type

This user-friendly guidebook also provides examples throughout to illustrate the questionnaire development process, a sample completed survey for reference, and a section on frequently asked questions.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction

Introduction

Part I Stages of Questionnaire Development

  • Stage 1: Establishing the Guiding Questions
  • Stage 2: Operationalizing the Guiding Questions: Creating Specificity
  • Stage 3: Writing Items and Formatting Responses
  • Stage 4: Designing the Questionnaire
  • Stage 5: Writing Directions
  • Stage 6: Who Said What? Categorizing Respondents
  • Stage 7: Conducting the Alignment Check
  • Stage 8: Instrument Validity and Reliability
  • Stage 9: Marketing the Questionnaire: Ensuring Response

Part II Getting From Here to There

  • Stage 10: The Process of Data Analysis
  • Stage 11: Communicating Your Results Effectively
  • Stage 12: To Web or Not to Web
  • Stage 13: Since You Asked ...

Resource A: Evaluating the Questionnaire: A Self-Assessment

Resource A: Evaluating the Questionnaire: A Self-Assessment

Resource B: Sample Introductions

Resource B: Sample Introductions

Resource C: Sample Directions and Formats

Resource C: Sample Directions and Formats

Resource D: Critiquing a Questionnaire: Finding Flaws

Resource D: Critiquing a Questionnaire: Finding Flaws

Resource E: Modeling the Product: Stages 1 Through 6

Resource E: Modeling the Product: Stages 1 Through 6

References

References

Index

Index

Description

"The authors' thoughtful treatment and discussion of the subject deftly walks the reader through each stage of the survey questionnaire process. The book uses terrific examples, gives clear direction, and is an essential reference for survey research in education."
—Lawrence Machi, Professor of Organizational Leadership
University of La Verne

"More and more, district leaders are needing to collect perceptual data through surveys. This book provides guidance in a concise format for busy educators who may not have had training related to survey development."
—Ronald L. Russell, Associate Director
Loess Hills Area Education Agency 13, IA

A user-friendly guide to developing questionnaires that work!

Since the first edition of Your Opinion, Please! was published, the demand for accurate information and efficient ways of collecting data has increased in all arenas, and the field of education is no exception.

Written by experts, this accessible resource presents the vital elements for creating any type of survey or questionnaire. The second edition has been updated with a significant discussion on the value of using the Internet—and pitfalls to avoid—when gathering information and developing and distributing questionnaires. The updates also include a new chapter on designing questionnaires, in response to the increasing body of research focused on the design elements of questionnaire development.

The authors show novice and experienced researchers how to construct a basic questionnaire, collect and analyze the data, and report the results. The material takes readers through the essential stages of questionnaire development and covers:

  • Establishing and clarifying the guiding questions
  • Designing the questionnaire
  • Formatting responses
  • Categorizing responses by group type

This user-friendly guidebook also provides examples throughout to illustrate the questionnaire development process, a sample completed survey for reference, and a section on frequently asked questions.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

About the Authors

Introduction

Introduction

Part I Stages of Questionnaire Development

  • Stage 1: Establishing the Guiding Questions
  • Stage 2: Operationalizing the Guiding Questions: Creating Specificity
  • Stage 3: Writing Items and Formatting Responses
  • Stage 4: Designing the Questionnaire
  • Stage 5: Writing Directions
  • Stage 6: Who Said What? Categorizing Respondents
  • Stage 7: Conducting the Alignment Check
  • Stage 8: Instrument Validity and Reliability
  • Stage 9: Marketing the Questionnaire: Ensuring Response

Part II Getting From Here to There

  • Stage 10: The Process of Data Analysis
  • Stage 11: Communicating Your Results Effectively
  • Stage 12: To Web or Not to Web
  • Stage 13: Since You Asked ...

Resource A: Evaluating the Questionnaire: A Self-Assessment

Resource A: Evaluating the Questionnaire: A Self-Assessment

Resource B: Sample Introductions

Resource B: Sample Introductions

Resource C: Sample Directions and Formats

Resource C: Sample Directions and Formats

Resource D: Critiquing a Questionnaire: Finding Flaws

Resource D: Critiquing a Questionnaire: Finding Flaws

Resource E: Modeling the Product: Stages 1 Through 6

Resource E: Modeling the Product: Stages 1 Through 6

References

References

Index

Index

SAGE Publishing Logo

Your Opinion, Please!

How to Build the Best Questionnaires in the Field of Education


December 2007 | 136 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 01/02/2026 9781412955393 $37.95
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9781412955386 $79.95

"The authors' thoughtful treatment and discussion of the subject deftly walks the reader through each stage of the survey questionnaire process. The book uses terrific examples, gives clear direction, and is an essential reference for survey research in education."
—Lawrence Machi, Professor of Organizational Leadership
University of La Verne

"More and more, district leaders are needing to collect perceptual data through surveys. This book provides guidance in a concise format for busy educators who may not have had training related to survey development."
—Ronald L. Russell, Associate Director
Loess Hills Area Education Agency 13, IA

A user-friendly guide to developing questionnaires that work!

Since the first edition of Your Opinion, Please! was published, the demand for accurate information and efficient ways of collecting data has increased in all arenas, and the field of education is no exception.

Written by experts, this accessible resource presents the vital elements for creating any type of survey or questionnaire. The second edition has been updated with a significant discussion on the value of using the Internet—and pitfalls to avoid—when gathering information and developing and distributing questionnaires. The updates also include a new chapter on designing questionnaires, in response to the increasing body of research focused on the design elements of questionnaire development.

The authors show novice and experienced researchers how to construct a basic questionnaire, collect and analyze the data, and report the results. The material takes readers through the essential stages of questionnaire development and covers:

  • Establishing and clarifying the guiding questions
  • Designing the questionnaire
  • Formatting responses
  • Categorizing responses by group type

This user-friendly guidebook also provides examples throughout to illustrate the questionnaire development process, a sample completed survey for reference, and a section on frequently asked questions.


Table Of Contents:

  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • Introduction
  • Part I Stages of Questionnaire Development
  • Stage 1: Establishing the Guiding Questions
  • Stage 2: Operationalizing the Guiding Questions: Creating Specificity
  • Stage 3: Writing Items and Formatting Responses
  • Stage 4: Designing the Questionnaire
  • Stage 5: Writing Directions
  • Stage 6: Who Said What? Categorizing Respondents
  • Stage 7: Conducting the Alignment Check
  • Stage 8: Instrument Validity and Reliability
  • Stage 9: Marketing the Questionnaire: Ensuring Response
  • Part II Getting From Here to There
  • Stage 10: The Process of Data Analysis
  • Stage 11: Communicating Your Results Effectively
  • Stage 12: To Web or Not to Web
  • Stage 13: Since You Asked ...
  • Resource A: Evaluating the Questionnaire: A Self-Assessment
  • Resource B: Sample Introductions
  • Resource C: Sample Directions and Formats
  • Resource D: Critiquing a Questionnaire: Finding Flaws
  • Resource E: Modeling the Product: Stages 1 Through 6
  • References
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

Very good examples which help MA students to create good questionnaires. The book also contains good supporting materials to work with student during tutorials.
Dr Nicoleta Gaciu, School of Education, Oxford Brookes University
"The authors' thoughtful treatment and discussion of the subject deftly walks the reader through each stage of the survey questionnaire process. The book uses terrific examples, gives clear direction, and provides sage advice. It is not only a great read, but an essential reference for survey research in education, a must-know for the beginning research student, and a must-keep for the experienced practitioner."
Lawrence Machi, Professor of Organizational Leadership, University of La Verne
"The content in this book is very important. More and more, district leaders are needing to collect perceptual data through surveys. This book provides guidance in a concise format for busy educators who may not have had training related to survey development."
Ronald L. Russell, Associate Director, Loess Hills Area Education Agency 13, IA
"The book really lives up to its claim of helping novice researchers construct meaningful and reliable questionnaires. The language is simple, user friendly, direct, and free of unnecessary jargon."
Aghop Der-Karabetian, Professor, University of La Verne

Recommendations