Question

Explain the researcher's dilemma in deciding whether to use forced-choice rating scales or unforced-choice rating scales? What types of tactics can researchers use to minimize participant tendencies to avoid extreme judgments or choose extreme positions on a scale?

What are the steps in drafting and refining a survey instrument, especially the phase of organizing the pieces? Explain the meaning of pretesting and why instrument designers should pretest questionnaires prior to using them in a study.

Answer 1

Forced Choice Rating Scale is a tool used in surveys. It is a rating scale in which options like undecided or neutral are absent. Here participents are forced to make a choice to express their view and aptitude.

In Unforced Choice Rating Scale there are options like neutral and no opinion. Here the participants are not forced to make a choice.

Both the scales are having some advantages and some disadvantages. In forced rating scale participants are forced to make a choice. This may lead to their aversion of participation. This is disadvantage of this rating scale. Advantage of this scale system is that a decision can easily be made without any dilemma. It gives more accurate result.

Unforced rating scale may include huge participation but its results are not as reliable as the results of Forced rating scale. Participants may choose neutral option in case of a situation where difficult choices have to be made.

If a researcher wish to avoid extream judgements of participants on a rating scale then he/she can use various techniques like graphic rating scale, ranking systems etc.. Here participants are not allowed to make a extream choice. They can choose intermediate values.

Before constructing a survey following steps are included in preparation:

1. Topic of Survey is decided.

2. various questionnaires are prepared.

3. sub-parts of questionnaires are prepared.

4. options of questionnaires are decided by keeping forced and unforced survey tools in mind.

5. charachterstics of audience is being decided such as age group, sex etc.

6. order of questions are decided.

7. order and content of questions are decided.

8. all questions are verified through various feedbacks.

Pretesting of questionnaire is most important part of the surveys. Pretesting is also known as piloting. It ensures clarity and suitability of questionnaire. Pretesting is important for any researcher because it helps the researcher to find the possible future obstacles of survey.

It also help the researchers to determine the possible time which is going to be consume in survey. so pretesting of questionnaire is very important aspect for any researcher.