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Paper details
In this assignment, you will design a self-completion, closed-response survey questionnaire with at least 8
questions (counting matrix questions as one). The questionnaire will be designed to test hypotheses
related to a topic of your interest. It should measure:
A dependent variable that you are interested in explaining (e.g. binge drinking, victimization, delinquency).
Relevant independent variables associated with the hypotheses you are testing (i.e. things that might
explain variations in your dependent variable).
Some basic demographic questions (e.g. age, gender).
In designing the questionnaire, please remember key principles discussed in class and in the reading.
These include, for example:
Use of an introductory statement, explaining the purposes of the research and what the respondent is
being asked to do.
Use of “transitions”.
Ordering of questions (e.g. putting demographic questions at the end, easier/non-threatening questions at
the beginning).
Lists of responses for each question from which respondents have to choose their answer.
Use of matrix questions for multiple items with common responses.
Simple and straightforward wording (e.g. that avoids double-barreled or negative wording).
What to include in the assignment
Please include two things in your assignment:
A brief overview document explaining what you are hoping to learn from your questionnaire in a couple of
paragraphs. This should make clear (a) what hypotheses you are testing, (b) what your dependent variable
is, and (c) what your independent variables are.
The questionnaire itself, fully formatted for use in a (self-completion) survey.
Software
You can present your questionnaire as a basic Word document. However, you may wish to use a free
survey design application such as Google Notes or SurveyMonkey, from which you can print a PDF of the
formatted survey.