Questions and points we have grappled with as we try to design a survey while balancing the need to answer our research questions, keeping to the time allotted to us, and accounting for the fact that everyone has a limited attention span. When we do use this, I know that I am going to have some oh no I should have done that instead moments and learn a lot.
1. Is it okay to ask people 70 questions? Is it okay for one question to have over 20 sub-questions?
The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is always no. We are down to around 30 something at the moment.
2. Should everything be a question?
No. Some of our questions are now activities to be more interactive. Lots of chart paper and sharpies to be shopped for. But we are trying to find a healthy mix because we don't want people to be feel overwhelmed by too many activities.
3. What are appropriate pictures?
A house, a farm, a piece of forest land, these may all look very different depending on where you are. We are trying to be aware of that.
4. Does formatting matter?
YES.
5. Does not knowing the language make a difference?
Yes, yes, yes. So much. First we will discuss with the translators who are also CORENARM staff and conduct surveys for their other projects about how relevant our questions are. Then they will translate them into Vietnamese. At the time of interviews they will use the Vietnamese version to ask questions and then translate the replies to us and you get the drift. It will be a slower and longer process.
6. The unit at which the survey is being conducted.
We are struggling with this. Is it a household? A group? A village? We are probably going to work at the group and village level.
7. Language
Simple seems to be better!
1. Is it okay to ask people 70 questions? Is it okay for one question to have over 20 sub-questions?
The answer, ladies and gentlemen, is always no. We are down to around 30 something at the moment.
2. Should everything be a question?
No. Some of our questions are now activities to be more interactive. Lots of chart paper and sharpies to be shopped for. But we are trying to find a healthy mix because we don't want people to be feel overwhelmed by too many activities.
3. What are appropriate pictures?
A house, a farm, a piece of forest land, these may all look very different depending on where you are. We are trying to be aware of that.
4. Does formatting matter?
YES.
5. Does not knowing the language make a difference?
Yes, yes, yes. So much. First we will discuss with the translators who are also CORENARM staff and conduct surveys for their other projects about how relevant our questions are. Then they will translate them into Vietnamese. At the time of interviews they will use the Vietnamese version to ask questions and then translate the replies to us and you get the drift. It will be a slower and longer process.
6. The unit at which the survey is being conducted.
We are struggling with this. Is it a household? A group? A village? We are probably going to work at the group and village level.
7. Language
Simple seems to be better!
No comments:
Post a Comment