How short or long should be a questionnaire for any research? Researchers dilemma in deciding the appropriate questionnaire length

Abstract

A questionnaire plays a pivotal role in various surveys. Within the realm of biomedical research, questionnaires serve a role in epidemiological surveys and mental health surveys and to obtain information about knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) on various topics of interest. Questionnaire in border perspective can be of different types like self-administered or professionally administered and according to the mode of delivery paper-based or electronic media–based. Various studies have been conducted to assess the appropriateness of a questionnaire in a particular field and methods to translate and validate them. But very little is known regarding the appropriate length and number of questions in a questionnaire and what role it has in data quality, reliability, and response rates. Hence, this narrative review is to explore the critical issue of appropriate length and number of questions in a questionnaire while questionnaire designing.

Development and initial validation of questionnaire on predictors for the use of hearing protection devices among noise exposed manufacturing workers in Tanzania: A methodological study

“…Workers in our pre-test sample were able to complete the prepared questionnaire within an average of 27 min presumably due to short, relevant and clear items. This average time was somewhat shorter than the documented and hence, the suggested optimal time by other researchers of about 30 min ( 50 ) suggesting that workers presumably won't lose interest during answering survey questions. Hence, it is likely that, our developed questionnaire will be able to collect quality and reliable data in surveys while maintaining high response rate among noise exposed manufacturing workers ( 60 ).…”

“…This was necessary as it may affect the quality of information collected which was assumed to be contributed by the length of questions themselves, the clarity of language used, the comprehension and relevance of questions to the study environment and the study population ( 36 ). An average of 30 min is by some literature, regarded as optimal to maintain the attention of respondents ( 50 ). We selected places (rooms or chambers used during breaks or rest periods) within the factory in which individual worker felt comfortable and undisturbed or uninfluenced by surrounding environment while answering the questionnaire.…”

Considerations for the Utilization of Questionnaires in Collegiate Team Environments

“…The quantity of questions can be best determined by the strength and conditioning professional's ability to manage the information. Although fewer questions may be the best place to start to gain an initial sense of buy-in, questionnaires that can be completed quickly have the highest response rate 14 . Depending on the complexity of the questions, this may include up to 5-10 questions.…”

“…Depending on the complexity of the questions, this may include up to 5-10 questions. If a lengthier questionnaire is necessary, research suggest to limit it to 25-30 questions, aim for it to be completed in less than thirty minutes, and consider administering it very infrequently 14 .…”

15-item Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ-15): structural and criterion validity on patients with chronic low back pain

“…However, the RMDQ has a relatively high number of items to investigate disability, and item redundancy is common in long questionnaires [ 10 ]. In contrast, short questionnaires optimize clinical and scientific applicability, as they reduce the number of errors and the filling time, maintaining the same quality in the information obtained [ 11 , 12 ]. Therefore, some reductions for the RMDQ have been published [ 13 ].…”