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en:create:tips [29.06.2015 22:09] – [A Short Welcome Page] alexander.ritter | en:create:tips [12.08.2022 19:30] (current) – admin | ||
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This page collates a couple of tips to avoid problems regarding the measuring instrument. The list is not complete and there are exceptions to every rule - generally though, the following tips avoid effort, hassle and resentment during the data analysis. | This page collates a couple of tips to avoid problems regarding the measuring instrument. The list is not complete and there are exceptions to every rule - generally though, the following tips avoid effort, hassle and resentment during the data analysis. | ||
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===== Conceptual Design ===== | ===== Conceptual Design ===== | ||
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==== Conduct a Pretest ==== | ==== Conduct a Pretest ==== | ||
- | The validity of the questionnaire depends on two principles: the theoretical foundation and the comprehensibility. For the latter, there are loads of good tips in books. But no tool is as good at finding problems as is a [[en: | + | The validity of the questionnaire depends on two principles: the theoretical foundation and the comprehensibility. For the latter, there are loads of good tips in books. But no tool is as good at finding problems as a [[en: |
Pretesters should not check spelling and grammar - this should be done prior to the pretest, otherwise problems with regard to content may not be detected. | Pretesters should not check spelling and grammar - this should be done prior to the pretest, otherwise problems with regard to content may not be detected. | ||
- | ==== Technical Test Only if Necessary | + | ==== Limited Completion Checks |
In the ideal case, every participant answers all questions, and when asked for their age, you of course want participants to enter digits only. Such restrictions can be easily implemented in the online questionnaire. | In the ideal case, every participant answers all questions, and when asked for their age, you of course want participants to enter digits only. Such restrictions can be easily implemented in the online questionnaire. | ||
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People know standard forms from different instances. These forms are usually labelled very short and precise: "Date of Birth", | People know standard forms from different instances. These forms are usually labelled very short and precise: "Date of Birth", | ||
- | If you want your participants to feel comfortable during your survey, ask them proper questions (" | + | If you want your participants to feel comfortable during your survey, ask them proper questions (" |
- | By asking questions a hint of a real conversation is created and participants get a better idea of what you want to know. Of course you don't need to exaggerate: sociodemographic data can still be asked for in a very precise fashion. However, a friendly " | + | By asking questions, a hint of a real conversation is created and participants get a better idea of what you want to know. Of course you don't need to exaggerate: sociodemographic data can still be asked for in a very precise fashion. However, a friendly " |
- | ===== Formating | + | ===== Formatting |
Avoid using too many emphases (bold, italic, underlined). | Avoid using too many emphases (bold, italic, underlined). | ||
* Bold **emphases** often look **unprofessional**, | * Bold **emphases** often look **unprofessional**, | ||
- | * When many words are emphasised, the nature of an emphasis is lost. Limit yourself to __one__ word per parapgraph | + | * When many words are emphasised, the nature of an emphasis is lost. Limit yourself to __one__ word per paraagraph |
Get to grips with the most important HTML tags. | Get to grips with the most important HTML tags. | ||
* A line break (< | * A line break (< | ||
- | * If you want to use a list, it is not enough | + | * If you want to use a list, it is not enough |
Do not make the typical typographic beginner mistakes -- make sure that your text looks like a professional survey. | Do not make the typical typographic beginner mistakes -- make sure that your text looks like a professional survey. | ||
* Do not divide your text into too many paragraphs. If every full stop is followed by a new paragraph, your text is pulled apart. | * Do not divide your text into too many paragraphs. If every full stop is followed by a new paragraph, your text is pulled apart. | ||
- | * Avoid using different font types and sizes. Homogeneous texts look more professional. Once you have decided on a format for different kind of texts (e.g. bold and larger headings, underlined emphases), constrain yourself to use these formats. | + | * Avoid using different font types and sizes. Homogeneous texts look more professional. Once you have decided on a format for different kind of texts (e.g. bold and larger headings, underlined emphases), constrain yourself to using these formats. |
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