QUESTIONNAIRES 
tional interest analysis given in Figure 15 (57, 58) illus- 
trates this point. 
The data of the questionnaire are easier to tabulate if 
the questionnaire is printed so that answers are in a column 
near the right-hand margin of the page. 
It is impossible to insure against falsification of answers, 
but the probability of obtaining the truth is increased by 
arranging the questions so that the most profitable direction 
of falsification is difficult to guess. The vocational interest 
questionnaire given above illustrates this point. This ques- 
tionnaire ordinarily reveals whether the applicant’s voca- 
tional interests are scientific, literary, social, solitary, out- 
door, indoor, professional, or commercial. If the vocations 
were grouped in this way instead of being in alphabetical or 
apparently haphazard order, the applicant would quickly 
suspect the purpose of the blank and would probably cen- 
sor his answers. The purpose of the questionnaire is best 
achieved by its present arrangement which prevents this 
purpose from being obvious. 
Any single questionnaire should be brief. If a great 
amount of information is wanted, the questions should be 
arranged in a series of questionnaires each covering a 
specific type of information. The worker may be given one 
questionnaire at a time in order not to overwhelm him by 
the mass of information required. 
OBTAINING THE DATA 
If the subjects of the investigation are applicants the ex- 
perimental questionnaires may be filled out by the applicant 
himself or by the interviewer for him. The former arrange- 
ment saves time, but unless the interviewer is accessible the 
applicant will not be able to have matters explained which 
puzzle him. Except in dealing with the most intelligent 
employees it is safest for the interviewer to check over the 
questionnaire with the applicant after it has been filled out. 
140