Questionnaire: written and self-completed
A questionnaire is a fixed set of written questions that respondents read and answer themselves, usually with no researcher present.
Two features define it, and separate it from an interview (asked out loud): it is written and self-completed, and standardised — everyone answers the same questions. Being identical, it is easy to repeat and give to many at once.
A definition must name those features; "a set of questions" is too vague.
Question type decides the data type
The type of question decides the type of data — the heart of 11.1.13.
The trade-off follows: closed data is quick to analyse but can lack depth; open data is rich but harder to summarise. A good questionnaire often uses both.
Strengths and weaknesses come in pairs
A questionnaire's strengths and weaknesses come in pairs.
Weaknesses mirror them: social desirability, misunderstanding with no researcher present, and a low response rate. Suits self-reported views of many; poor for seeing real behaviour.
Drawn from real examiner reports.
Closed = quantitative, open = qualitative
The credited pairing is fixed, and swapping it scores nothing: closed questions give quantitative (numerical) data; open questions give qualitative (in-words) data. Remember closed = counted; open = opinion in words.
It is also a definition trap: define each in its own right, and take the example from the scenario.
That qualitative means detailed and in words while quantitative means numerical, with the example taken from the scenario, is recorded in June 2024 Paper 2 Q5b and Q2c.
Naming a strength, not explaining it
"Explain a strength/weakness" is not "describe" one. Naming a feature earns little; marks come from why it is a strength/weakness and its effect on the study.
The consequence usually holds the mark, so don't stop there.
That an "explain a strength/weakness" answer must not merely describe the feature is stated in the June 2023 and June 2024 Paper 2 Summaries; identification of a strength or weakness without justification is recorded in June 2024 Paper 1 Q11b and Q15b.
Generic evaluation scores zero
Given a specific study, an evaluation point that floats free of it earns no marks: AO3 needs AO2 present.
Apply first, then evaluate from it.
The dependency rule that AO3 cannot be awarded without AO2 being present is stated in June 2023 Paper 2 Q31; that purely generic responses to scenario questions cannot be credited is stated in the June 2019 Paper 1 Summary.
Writing a closed question as "describe..."
Asked to write a closed question, some write one inviting a written answer, such as "Describe...", which is really open.
A closed question offers a fixed choice (yes/no, a rating scale) that limits the response. Answer options are best practice but not required for the mark, if the question clearly restricts the response.
That writing a "describe" question as a closed question is a clear error, and that closed questions are credited without answer options, is recorded in June 2024 Paper 2 Q2a.
Vague definition: not just "a survey"
A definition must name the method's features, and two answers fall short:
Name those features first; they pin the method down and earn the mark.
Questionnaire is written, interview is spoken
Two self-report methods, confused because both use fixed questions.
"Same fixed questions" does not decide it — a structured interview uses them too. Delivery decides: written/self-completed = questionnaire; spoken = interview.
A questionnaire only gives numerical data
Because questionnaires look like tick-box surveys, students assume all their data is numerical. That is only half the method: closed-ended questions give quantitative data, while open-ended questions give qualitative data (answers in words). So one questionnaire can produce both — exactly what 11.1.13 tests, and a useful evaluation point.
Anonymity removes all bias
Students think an anonymous questionnaire must be truthful, so valid. Anonymity helps but does not remove bias: social desirability still operates even when unnamed, misunderstanding is untouched with no researcher present, and a low response rate can bias who replies. So anonymity reduces social desirability without guaranteeing honest answers.
The 12-mark methods essay
The 12-mark Evaluate essay can be set on the questionnaire. AO1 (the usual weak spot): develop what closed and open questions do. AO2: use the study's own questions and results. AO3: balance the large sample against social desirability, then conclude.
Explain: feature, why, consequence
Build each "explain a strength/weakness" point in three parts: the feature, why it follows, and its consequence. E.g. closed questions give numbers, quick to count, so a large sample compares fast — stopping at the feature only describes it.
Match data type to question type
On "state the data type", use the question type as the cue: closed (fixed answers) gives quantitative; open (free words) gives qualitative. Do not answer from "it is a questionnaire" — either is possible. Take any example from the scenario.
A questionnaire is a research method that uses a fixed set of written questions which respondents read and answer themselves, usually without a researcher present. The defining features are that it is written and standardised (everyone answers the same questions) — that is what separates it from a spoken interview.
Questionnaire — a written, self-completed set of standardised questions used to collect data from respondents.
Full notes, flashcards, Q&A and the topic quiz for every premium subject.
Premium plans are US$8.99/month or US$49.99/year — first month free.
Studying with a parent's blessing? Show them this.
