Which of the following is not a defect of questionnaire method?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2: Views of many persons are obtained by this method.

The core purpose of the questionnaire method is to gather data from a large and dispersed sample efficiently. The ability to collect information from a wide range of individuals simultaneously is a significant advantage or merit of the questionnaire method, not a defect. Because questionnaires can be distributed easily (via mail or electronically) and require minimal physical presence from the researcher, they are inherently suited for reaching a large population quickly and cost-effectively. Therefore, obtaining the views of many persons is one of the primary benefits that makes this research tool popular.

The incorrect option is 1: Forming good questions is a difficult job.
This is a recognized defect of the questionnaire method. Designing questions that are clear, unambiguous, unbiased, and capable of eliciting the desired information requires significant skill and effort. Poorly framed questions can lead to misleading or unusable data.

The incorrect option is 3: The questions included may not be well planned.
This is also a defect. The reliability and validity of the entire study depend heavily on the careful planning and structure of the questions. If the questions are not logically sequenced, developmentally appropriate, or related to the research objectives, the data collected will be flawed.

The incorrect option is 4: Persons may not be interested to answer the questions.
This highlights a major defect, which is the risk of a low response rate. Since respondents complete the questionnaire voluntarily and without the immediate presence of an investigator, they may lose interest, leading to incomplete responses or a lack of participation, which can bias the results.