Designing a Questionnaire for a MA or PhD Thesis

Designing a questionnaire is one of the most common methods for collecting primary data in Master’s and PhD research. A well-structured questionnaire allows you to capture reliable insights from participants, but it requires careful planning—not just in design, but also in distribution and ethical approval. This guide outlines key considerations for postgraduate students preparing to use questionnaires in their thesis projects.

1. Start with Research Objectives

Before drafting questions, clarify what you want to measure. Every item in your questionnaire should align with your research questions or hypotheses. Avoid collecting data “just in case”—keep it purposeful and focused.

Key Tips:

• Use clear, simple language that avoids jargon (technical terms) and double barreled questions (complex questions).
• Mix closed-ended questions (for statistical analysis) with open-ended questions (for richer insights).
• Pilot test your questionnaire with a small group to identify confusing wording or technical glitches.

2. Operationalisation and Variable Mapping

At the postgraduate level, your questionnaire should directly reflect your conceptual framework and research questions. This requires turning abstract concepts into measurable items, a process known as operationalisation.

a) Define Your Variables

• Independent Variables (IVs): The factors you believe influence outcomes (e.g., gender, education level, training received).
• Dependent Variable (DV): The main outcome you are measuring (e.g., job satisfaction, academic performance, health behavior).
• Control Variables: Additional variables you include to rule out alternative explanations (e.g., age, socioeconomic status).

b) Mapping Variables to Questions

Each variable in your framework should be mapped to at least one questionnaire item:

• Concept: Job satisfaction → Item: “I feel satisfied with my current role” (Likert scale 1–5).
• Concept: Training hours → Item: “How many hours of training did you complete last month?” (numeric response).

c) Choosing the Right Statistical Tests

The way you operationalise variables influences which statistical tests are appropriate:

• Nominal data (categories) → Chi-Square Test.
• Ordinal data (ranked, Likert scale) → Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Spearman correlation.
• Interval/Ratio data (continuous) → t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, regression analysis.

Tip for Students: Always check whether your data meets assumptions of parametric tests (e.g., normality, homogeneity of variance). If not, use non-parametric alternatives.

3. Choosing an Online Survey Platform

Collecting data efficiently is just as important as analyzing it. In 2025, researchers have a variety of online platforms available:

• Google Forms: Free, simple, and integrates easily with Google Sheets. Best for straightforward surveys.
• Qualtrics: A powerful platform with advanced logic, branching, and analytics. Widely used in academic institutions.
• SurveyMonkey & Microsoft Forms: Popular, user-friendly alternatives for quick deployment and basic analysis.

Tip for Students: Many universities in the USA and UK provide institutional access to Qualtrics, REDCap, or other premium platforms. Check with your university’s IT or library services before purchasing a subscription. Using the official institutional platform also ensures compliance with data protection laws (GDPR/FERPA).

4. Research Ethics and Approval

Ethical approval is a non-negotiable requirement in academic research involving human participants. Questionnaires may appear harmless, but they raise critical issues of privacy, informed consent, and data protection.

a) Informed Consent

• Consent Form: Must clearly explain the study’s purpose, procedures, risks, and benefits.
• Information Sheet: Provides participants with full background before they agree.
• Right to Withdraw: Participation must be voluntary, with no penalties for withdrawal.

b) Institutional Review Boards (IRB) / Ethics Committees

Before distributing a questionnaire, approval from an ethics body is usually required:

• USA: Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) ensure compliance with federal standards such as the Common Rule and HIPAA for health-related data.
• UK: University Research Ethics Committees (RECs) check compliance with GDPR and ethical research standards.
• KSA & UAE: Universities align with international best practices but also observe local cultural and legal norms.
• Australia: Governed by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (NHMRC).

c) Key Considerations

• Data Protection: Store data securely, anonymize responses where possible, and respect GDPR/HIPAA rules.
• Vulnerable Groups: Extra safeguards must be in place when researching minors, patients, or marginalized populations.
• Cross-Border Research: If you are surveying participants in different countries, ensure compliance with both your institution’s policies and local regulations.

 Tip for Students: Always consult your supervisor and university ethics office before launching a questionnaire. Conducting research without prior approval may invalidate your findings and delay your degree.

5. Conclusion

Designing a questionnaire for a Master’s or PhD thesis involves more than writing questions. You must:

1. Align items with your research objectives.
2. Operationalise variables and plan statistical analysis in advance.
3. Choose the right online platform for distribution.
4. Obtain ethical approval and protect participants’ rights.

By combining rigorous design with ethical and methodological care, your questionnaire becomes a robust research tool that strengthens your entire thesis.