What is a questionnaire?

What is a questionnaire?

• A. A live, face-to-face interview with pre-set questions
• B. A paper-based version of a lab experiment
• C. A set of written questions used to access a person's thoughts/ experiences
• D. A structured observation form

Answer: (C)

A questionnaire is a set of written questions used to access a person's thoughts, feelings, or experiences. It’s usually completed by the respondent themselves, either on paper or online, which helps standardise what everyone answers and makes the data easier to compare across many people. This format is well suited to gathering subjective information that isn’t directly observable, and the responses can be scored or coded for analysis. A key strength is efficiency and scalability—you can reach large groups with the same questions, and responses often allow quantitative analysis (like Likert scales) or systematic qualitative review. However, because it relies on self-report, it can be affected by biases such as wanting to give socially desirable answers or misremembering experiences. This is different from a live, face-to-face interview, which involves an interviewer asking questions directly. It also differs from a paper-based version of a lab task and from a structured observation form, which records observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or experiences.

A questionnaire is a set of written questions used to access a person's thoughts, feelings, or experiences. It’s usually completed by the respondent themselves, either on paper or online, which helps standardise what everyone answers and makes the data easier to compare across many people. This format is well suited to gathering subjective information that isn’t directly observable, and the responses can be scored or coded for analysis.

A key strength is efficiency and scalability—you can reach large groups with the same questions, and responses often allow quantitative analysis (like Likert scales) or systematic qualitative review. However, because it relies on self-report, it can be affected by biases such as wanting to give socially desirable answers or misremembering experiences.

This is different from a live, face-to-face interview, which involves an interviewer asking questions directly. It also differs from a paper-based version of a lab task and from a structured observation form, which records observable behavior rather than internal thoughts or experiences.