Diagnostics for pretesting questionnaires: a comparative analysis. (1st January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nanda, Tarun; Gupta, Himanshu; Kharub, Manjeet; Singh, Navdeep
• Is Part Of: International journal of technology, policy and management. Volume 13:Number 1(2013)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2013-01-01
• Subjects: pretesting -- pretesting techniques -- informal test -- cognitive interview -- behaviour coding -- respondent debriefi ng -- expert group -- interviewer debriefi ng; Technological innovations -- Management -- Periodicals; Technology and state -- Periodicals; 658.51405
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-4322

Abstract

Nowadays, most of the researchers are of the view that if they easily get the answers to their questions in the questionnaire or if the questions used in their research are taken from some other research, there is little need to pre-test them. However, there are numerous problems in questions, which can be identifi ed only by pretesting the questions. Questionnaire testing is an iterative process, which requires the application of different subsets of testing methods. Only with the choice of different testing methods, it is possible to detect different kinds of problems. An adequate questionnaire evolution process, therefore, usually requires a well-balanced mix of various methods, which have to be applied at different stages of the development process. The result of each method improves specifi c aspects of the questionnaire. The aim of the recommendations presented in this paper is to give an introduction to widely accepted methods, to explain their objectives and specifi c qualities, to discuss their advantages and drawbacks and to provide information during which stage or phase of the testing they are optimally applied.