This article reviews issues in questionnaire design beyond the creation of standardized questions and basic data collection rules. The use of magnitude scales, the application of decision theory, and the use of a questionnaire framework that replicates how choices are made by respondents are among the new design approaches discussed. (SLD)

Human resources are recognised as being key to the creation, commercialisation and diffusion of innovation. Among them, doctorate holders are not only the most qualified in terms of educational attainment, but also those who are specifically trained to conduct research. Not much is known however about their career and mobility patterns on the…

A three-page questionnaire was modified to a one-page format. Questionnaires were administered in classroom groups to 300 middle school students. Classrooms were randomly divided into two groups, with one group receiving the original three-page format and the other receiving a single-page version of the same questionnaire. The visual layout of the…

Questionnaires are important research tools despite their unpopularity. They are generally less costly per response than other techniques, may elicit more candid answers, provide more time for respondents to consider their replies, and do not introduce interviewer or observer bias. The rate of return is an indication of the usefulness of a…

A questionnaire designed to determine community opinion of its schools is presented. The questionnaire contains five sections that relate to: number of years lived in the community; number of children in Beverly Hills District schools and grades in which enrolled; best sources of information concerning the schools; newspapers read regularly, and…

This is the third progress report on Orange Coast Junior College District's standardized data storage and retrieval system, a system that gives the District the ability to evaluate their programs and analyze student attrition. Progress Report I (ED 027 007) contains a description of the sample population, while Progress Report II (ED 035 410)…

Reasons for not returning a questionnaire were studied among Lutheran church members sent a postcard to indicate no intention of replying. The analysis is based on 431 returned postcards. For most nonresponders, the interest value of the questionnaire topic was not high enough. Many who returned the negative reply card would be resistant…

The results of a content analysis of the mail survey methodologies used in three studies of diverse higher education topics are reported. Each study used Dillman's Total Design Method procedures and obtained a high rate of return. (MLW)

In this paper a method is proposed whereby an investigator may improve the metric qualities of questionnaire and similar kinds of data. (Author)

In a study of teacher role, the collection of data from a sample of teachers in the United States, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand is described, and the techniques used to analyze the data are discussed. (DB)

The authors argue that self-report measures and transcriptions of conversations are ineffective means of gathering data about self-disclosure. Influenced by Kenneth Burke and Hugh Duncan, they illustrate--with a discussion of Shakespeare's character of Richard III--the advantages of using soliloquies as examples of self-disclosure. (PD)

This research note examines respondent-nonrespondent bias in a statewide population survey. The findings indicate general support for using master lists in the selection of respondents for participation in a large mail questionnaire survey. Two papers follow which react to this information. (Author/CT)

Suggests creating a central community registry of private music teachers in a public library or a school music department. Discusses how to solicit listings and provides a sample questionnaire for obtaining listing information from teachers. (SJL)

Survey validity is seen to be dependent on a high rate of response. Practical advice from successful National Geographic Society surveys is provided including presurvey contacts, postsurvey follow-ups, incentives, and letters and questionnaires designed to encourage response. Response bias is not seen as insurmountable. (MLW)

Lists and discusses 17 "do" and 8 "don't" guidelines for educators and trainers to consider when designing data collection questionnaires. (MF)