Questionnaire Design

A questionnaire is not merely as a list of questions, it is a scientific tool with standardized questions developed in line with the specific objectives of research. According to McMillan and Schumacher (1997), the major steps in constructing a questionnaire are “justification, defining objectives, writing questions, deciding general and item format, and pretesting” (p.263). Brace (2013) argues that “questionnaires are written in many different ways, to be used in many different situations and with many different data-gathering media” (p.1). More specifically, designing a questionnaire depends on whether the research is aiming to collect qualitative information or quantitative data or both. Therefore, questionnaire construction is divided into three types: structured; semi-structured; and unstructured. Cohen et al. (2007) indicate that

between a completely open questionnaire that is akin to an open invitation to 'write what one wants' and a totally closed, completely structured questionnaire, there is a powerful tool of the semi-structured questionnaire ... The researcher can select several types of questionnaire, from highly structured to unstructured (p. 321).

Structured questions, often referred to as closed questions, are questions with a set of optional answers and respondents are asked to choose the most closely matched to their views and opinions. On contrary, unstructured questions, or open- ended questions, do not have list of potential responses to choose from. Respondents can express their opinions and ideas in their own words without restrictions. The third type, semi-structured, is a mix of structured and unstructured questions in order to avoid the weaknesses of each category. The major weakness in closed questions is that they may encourage bias by offering the respondents alternatives that might not have come to their mind. On the other hand, open-ended questions might be considered as difficult to answer and take time to complete and analyze (Frankfort- Nachmias & Nachmias, 1996).

4.5.1 Format and Layout

The quantitative phase of the research design relied on self-administered survey questionnaires for primary data collection. They encompassed a mix of structured and unstructured questions using different formats. These included multiple choice, asking either for one option or all that applies, dichotomous answers like “Yes” and “No”, and open-ended questions. Some closed questions in the questionnaires had an open-ended “Other or Specify” option to let respondents express themselves. As some participants might have different socio-economic status and demographic characteristics, a choice of “Not applicable” (NA) was also included where necessary.

The researcher considered the following points when constructing the questionnaires:

1- Attaching a covering letter to inform the respondents of the research aims, expected results and assuring confidentiality.

2- Reducing the effect of choosing socially-desirable responses by using anonymous questionnaires as no personal details were asked.

3- Giving clear instructions of how to complete the questionnaire.

4- Including notes category to give respondents extra information and help. 5- Asking only one thing at a time with the possibility of having several

6- Opening questions have been set to be easy to answer to encourage the respondents.

7- No further questions asked than needed as respondents might get bored and give less thoughtful answers.

4.5.2 Number of Questions and Order

The parents’ questionnaire consisted of 36 questions, which were organized into five sections (see Appendices). Practitioners’ Questionnaire contained 22 questions. Concerning the order of the questions, the researcher considered the following when organizing the questions in the questionnaires:

 Questions follow a logical order.

 Questionnaires begin with factual, non-controversial questions.  Questions measuring a certain variable are grouped together.

This helped to encourage respondents to answer all the questions and smooth the way to move from the easy questions first to the more difficult or controversial ones later.

4.5.3 Content

The parents’ questionnaire had five sections, each of which focused on a group of variables. The demographic questions constituted the first section of the questionnaire. They were designed to elicit information regarding the participants’ age, marital status, health status, and education level. The second section tackled the factors contributing to the economic status of the family as well as neighbourhood factors such as poverty. The third section focused on the participants’ housing, family structure, and location. Section four was devoted to children’s characteristics and their care and education. This included children’s age, gender, health, disability, regular childcare activities and arrangements, reasons for that choice, ideal age for enrolling children in nurseries, benefits of enrolling children informal childcare, parent involvement in their childcare and education, and childcare obstacles. Eventually, section five focused on working mothers and their choice of childcare arrangement as well as the suggested changes in their work environment to support

childcare. Particular attention was given to the order of the questions in the questionnaire. Earlier questions, those related to parents’ demographics, socio- economic status and children’s demographics, provided context for the questions that followed related to childcare arrangements and childcare obstacles.

The practitioners’ questionnaire contained 22 questions and was less structured although followed a clear narrative. First two questions provided information regarding the participants’ qualification(s) and experience. Next questions asked about the factors contributing to quality ECCE provision such as stuff ratio, class size, nursery facilities and parent involvement in formal care in the nursery or kindergarten. Some questions focused on nursery or kindergarten characteristics, age of kids accepted, and purpose of the nursery or kindergarten. Also, there were a number of questions which covered child and family characteristics like gender, parents’ work, education level, and family income. Some other questions were about neighbourhood characteristics including, community poverty, and geographic location, as well as reasons for parents choosing a formal childcare arrangement. The rest of the questions focused on current childcare obstacles and how to improve childcare provision.

Both questionnaires might be considered to include a number of sensitive questions, in particular those requiring the identification of obstacles and shortfalls in ECCE system or those dealing with familial issues of income, employment and health. Tourangeau and Yan (2007) state,

sensitive questions is a broad category that encompasses not only questions that trigger social desirability concerns but also those that are seen as intrusive by the respondents or that raise concerns about the possible repercussions of disclosing the information (p.859).

Respondents vary in their perception of sensitive issues. Therefore, the invitation letter to participate in the survey (page 1 of the questionnaire) assured confidentiality guaranteeing nondisclosure.