QPSMR Questionnaire Design

Using QPSMR it is quick and easy to create questionnaires; there is no need to use syntax, unless you wish to, as all entries can be created simply by making selections using your mouse.

QPSMR has facilities for all types of research questions, including single response, multi response and open ended entries, verbatim texts, grids, integers (positive or negative numbers, with or without a decimal point) and character questions to collect information such as names and addresses.

Filters may be used to control entry routing, so only appropriate questions and responses are displayed during data entry. Range checks may also be applied to numeric entries so that only responses within a specified range (for example, between 1 and 100) will be accepted.

When textual information is collected you can choose the way it is stored. You may prefer text held "as typed", or you can request that it is automatically converted to uppercase or lowercase letters (regardless of the way it was entered).

To ensure straightforward data entry you may add extra instructions to your questions in order to help your punchers, interviewers or the respondents themselves to complete the survey. These instructions appear in a coloured band in the middle of the data entry screen; up to 500 characters can be used for each instruction and you may choose the colour of the band!

As you define your questionnaire existing entries (or just selected responses from them) can be cut, copied and pasted as required; you can even copy and paste information from previously designed questionnaires.

Importantly, the same questionnaire may be used as a base for different types of interview. For example, you could send a paper copy questionnaire to a set of respondents, and then copy and modify the survey in order to interview another set of respondents by telephone. So, with very little work you can transform your original paper questionnaire into a “new” survey especially designed for telephone interviewing. QPSMR also has a unique way of collecting, storing and allocating response codes to free text answers, using special "verbatim" entries.

When designing questionnaires for telephone (CATI) or personal (CAPI) surveys it is possible to specify that text from key questions should be carried forward to other entries. For example, if a question asked "Which brand do you use most often?", when defining your questionnaire you can specify that the brand name chosen by the respondent, should then automatically be displayed in all following relevant question texts, such as "You say you use brand X, how much would you expect to pay for a 500 ml bottle?".

QPSMR also has facilities to randomise questions, sets of questions, and responses within your questionnaire, so specific entries and/or responses appear in random order as your interviews take place.

As you define your questionnaire it can be created, viewed and printed at any time; you can choose to include response numbers, or codes, filters and variables, or data locations (cards and columns) in your document. You may also use the "test data" facility whenever you wish, to see the data entry screens; this is invaluable for checking filters (skips) and for viewing any extra instructions.

What happens if you find a mistake or if you have missed an entry? Don’t worry, you simply make the changes you require - and there is an automatic question re-number function which is especially useful if you decide to add, move or delete entries!

Once you have finished designing your survey, if your questionnaires have not been pre-printed, you can copy and paste the survey into your favourite word processor or a desk top publishing package to add finishing touches, such as your company logo, to create a professional looking questionnaire.

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