In my previous article Questionnaire development in theses and dissertation, I have discussed about the questionnaire development process, the next step is to administer the questionnaire. Questionnaire administration in a proper way and to chose the sample from population is important. It assists the researcher in incurring actual data.
Choosing an appropriate research philosophy is an important part of research methodology. In fact as Guba & Lincoln, (1982) has propounded, philosophical paradigm within a research holds utmost importance, as it is the “basic belief system or world view that guides the investigation” (p. 105).
Reliability of questionnaire is a way of assessing the quality of the measurement procedure used to collect data. In order to consider a result valid, the measurement procedure must first be reliable. choose a measure while examining the construct of a study. Construct is the hypothetical variable that is being measured and questionnaires are one of the mediums.
Measurement is a replicable and systematic process through which an object or instrument is quantified or classified as in the field of social science that deals with quantification of behaviour. In this case determining validity of the measuring instrument (questionnaire) holds utmost importance (Drost 2011).
Merriam Webster defines questionnaire as “a written set of questions that are given to people in order to collect facts or opinion about something”. For a researcher, however, questionnaire refers to a set of questions developed “for obtaining statistically useful or personal information from individuals”
A problem statement is a brief overview of the issues or problems existing in the concerned area selected for the research. It is an explanation of the issues prevalent in a particular sector which drives the researcher to take interest in that sector for in-depth study and analysis, so as to understand and solve them (Saunders et al. 2009).
Empirical research according to Penn State University is based on “observed and measured phenomenon and derives the knowledge from actual experience rather than from theory or belief”.