QUESTIONNAIRES 145 
medical examiner. (Rating scales have a companion use 
here.) 
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD QUESTIONNAIRE 
An ideal questionnaire gets the special information the 
investigator wants, and nothing else. It varies in form not 
only according to the kind of information sought, but also 
with the source from which the information is to be obtained. 
Its questions are worded concisely and without ambiguity. 
It is constructed in a form which tends to motivate the 
person in whose hands it is placed to give complete and 
accurate answers. It is convenient to fill out and to score. 
The questionnaire should be preceded by printed instruc- 
tions and a statement to the effect that the replies will 
be treated as confidential. 
It is advisable also to print instructions to complete the 
questionnaire rapidly. This not only saves time but over- 
comes the tendency to study answers and give the best one. 
The questionnaire should be concise. There are many 
ways of condensing questions to make them less burdensome 
and repugnant, as well as more convenient to answer. This 
not only reassures the subject, but saves printing costs. 
The following questionnaire for the analysis of interests is 
a good example of economy of space. The question is not 
repeated for each item. 
What was your attitude toward the following subjects when in 
school? Draw a circle around L if you liked the subject, and 
around D if vou disliked it. 
Mathematics LD Music LD Manual training LD 
Chemistry L 2 Physiology I © Ancient 
Shop work Iv Mechanical drawing I. 0 languages LD 
Modern languages L ©) English composition L Spelling LD 
Penmanship L (+ History L > Civics LD 
Economics L i{* Commercialsubjects LT Public speaking LD 
Sociology LD Physics LC 
Writing should be reduced to a minimum, as in the ex- 
ample just cited. This not only conserves the time of the 
worker, but avoids the necessity later for deciphering poor