Open Ended Questions in Research Essay

Questionnaires and surveys be useful for determine the attitudes, characteristics, profiles, beliefs from a sample of people. In designing a chiefnaire that focuses on opened ended questions the main concern should be on determining the way the retorts will be quantified.Open ended questions are often used in look to clarify closed questions or as a means of generating appraisals. In both cases it is generally assumed that the longer and more detailed the response to an open ended question the better (Graziano et al, 2000). However, relatively smaller is known about the effect of factors such as question wording or questionnaire design on the response to open ended questions.There is a need to ask open ended questions when the interrogationer desires to probe deeper into a subject area. The use of open ended questions is more common in subjects which are relatively unrehearsed. Open ended questions are also of value, where response cannot be predicted, or maybe to the ign ore potential for researcher induced bias. This method makes it possible to explore a range of conceptions about a certain(a) issue or topic.Open ended questionnaire questions can be also be quantified save in more indirect way. Converting raw, open ended data from large sample sizes into meaningful categories that the researcher can utilize to quantify the results presents a challenge (Culp, 1998). Several strategies can be used to substitute these responses into meaningful randomness. Using qualitative data analysis bundle is rapidly becoming feasible. Using software applications that support content analysis and data linking and those that offer advanced linguistic analysis. The content-analysis applications allow an analyst to valuate the number of times a instrumentalist uses a particular word or phrase in written material or transcribed remarks.By counting the frequency of words and noting the association of certain words, one can categorize themes and concepts. By thu s quantifying the qualitative communication, an analyst can associate the resulting information with other quantitative data. A more sophisticated analysis is possible with linguistic analysis, which examines the semantics, syntax, and context of participants verbal communications. Linguistic analysis applications help the analystidentify the key ideas in a text, gain an indication of the relative importance of each idea, and then develop a prediction of a participants attitude and or behavior based on the context of the remarks (Gale, 2005).The beginning would also consider rack up qualitative open ended question with coded values. For example expression strong emotional response against an idea could be valued as a 3, while a moderate response could be scored as 2, and a neutral or vague response a 1. Another idea that could be utilised is coding using a Likert type cuticle based on how overtly strong an idea or opinion is expressed. This method could induce bias if the psyche doing the interview or scoring the questionnaire has a personal preference in this idea. The research question should not be made known to the person doing the scoring in secernate to reduce the possibility of bias. The author believes that bias could also be minimise if several individuals do the scoring and the score then be averaged.SummaryThe topic chosen by this author lends itself well to open ended questions as it solicits responses in terms of attitudes, opinions, and beliefs about the economy. The following open ended questions are an example of questions that might be used in an interview about this topic.How do you feel about the current state of the economy?What do you think caused the recent economic wrecking?How has the economy affected your budget?The author would use scoring qualitative open ended question with coded values. For example, strong response could be valued as a 3, while a moderate response could be scored as 2 and a neutral or vague response a 1. The author would then do an analysis of the content based on the categorizations of opinions and attitudes. In a full scale research project, the author would use a mixture of quantitative and qualitative question in order to establish opinions, thoughts, or beliefs on the subject. This would aid in the analysis of attitudes on the topic. The validity of this type of research is only in the accurate analysis of the opinions and attitudes of the participants.ReferencesCulp, K. & Pilat, M. (1999). Converting feedback into quantifiablecategories Electronicversion. Journal of Extension 37(4).Dilts, R., Grinder, J., Bandler, R., Delozier, J. (1980). The Study of the Structure of SubjectiveExperience, Neuro-Linguistic program Vol I. CA Meta PublicationsGale, T (2005). Let me count the words quantifying open ended interactions with customers,Cornell Hotel & Restaurant Administration every quarter Pub 01-Aug-2005, RetrievedMay 3, 2009 fromwww//goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0198-245360/Let-me-co unt-the-words.htmSmith, R. A. & Davis, S. F. (2007), The Psychologist as Detective. New Jersey PearsonEducation, Inc.Graziano, Anthony M. & Raulin, Michael L. (2000) Research Methods A Process ofInquiry. Massachusetts Allyn & Bacon.