Uses and Limitations of Questionnaires - Assignment Example

Student’s Name Your Instructor’s name The Course Date Table of contents Acknowledgements 3 Preface 3 Introduction 3 Research aim and objectives 4 Criticisms of the study 6 Literature review 6 Methodology 6 Ethical issues 8 Suggested ways of improving the survey 8 Conclusions 9 Works cited 11 Acknowledgements First, I would like to give my heartfelt gratitude to the Module assignment coordinator, Mr. Othman Sadoki who played a significant role in the study through consistent encouragement, support and guidance. Mr. Othman actively helped us right from the start to the end; hence enabling us to understand the subject well. Secondly, I am thankful to Mrs. Aruna Dhade for the continuous support in terms of providing information on the study, as well as in explaining its various sections; guiding and answering of questions as regards the subject matter. Thirdly, I would like to sincerely appreciate everyone that provided any kind of support throughout the study, particularly those who volunteered to respond to my questionnaire. Preface The completion of this assignment was facilitated by the effective use of theories from various sources, such as books authored by Beiske and Robson. Literature review is highly essential in the study as it illuminates on what other people say about the issue under study. Plagiarism is one of the things that are put into a serious consideration before embarking on the study. To avoid it, the study ensured that any information borrowed from the two resources is acknowledged by providing clear citations. Introduction The paper focused on the evaluation of the quality survey of Salle A Manger. The performance of the study was facilitated by collecting information in relation to the research question. The research team employed survey method, which is the use of questionnaires in the collection of information. Notably, the management of CHN University management has carried out the survey on the restaurant, Salle A Manger. The management made a request to create a questionnaire and conduct it in the restaurant basically because the restaurant is one of the training hotels in the university. The major aim of the questionnaire in the study is to gather sufficient information regarding the topic of study and to provide an accurate analysis of the information. Upon the analyzing the information collected through questionnaires, there is an explicit identification of research objectives. The resources used in the study also have sufficient information in relation to the study; thus they played a great role in the successful completion of the study. Furthermore, this paper will provide criticisms of the study as well as offer appropriate recommendations for any future studies that might be conducted regarding this topic. Research aim and objectives The main aim of the study is to examine the objectives and purpose of the Salle A Manger restaurant. The purpose and objectives of the restaurant that the study intends to investigate are limited to the time of carrying out the study. Therefore, some of the objectives of the study include: To examine the performance of the restaurant in terms of quality of the services delivered to the customers To investigate on the level of satisfaction that customers achieve in the firm To identify the variety and quantity of products and services that the restaurant offers to its clients. To find out the prices of services and goods that the hotel offer its clients. In terms of its objectives, the study employs various principles so as to facilitate the effective collection of appropriate data, which is instrumental in the achievement of the set objectives. Some of these principles include: Satisfaction of the hotel customers. Quality of the hotel’s products and services. Prices of services and products in the restaurant. The quantity of and variety of services and products available in the restaurant. In every study, collection of precise and accurate information is highly imperative. Therefore, the study was designed to employ suitable data collection methods so as to effectively attain the set aims and objectives of the research. To realize this, the study applies survey method in which the questionnaires were designed into close and open-ended questions. This is aimed at making it easy for the respondents to provide answers to the questions clearly and precisely. Moreover, the questionnaire is structured into three parts so as to enable the identification of accurate responses to the research questions. These three sections of the questionnaire include general; assortment; quality and price. For instance, in the questionnaire’s sections: Price and quality section-questions 11-16 concern the clients’ responses on the quality and prices of the products and services provided by the restaurant. Assortment section-question 1-10 illuminate on the wide range and quantity of services and products that the firm offers its clients. General section-questions 17-19 address the clients’ views on the restaurant’s range of service and products; if the firm’s opening hours are fit for the clients and their business; and if the services offered by the firm to customers are satisfactory. Criticisms of the study Literature review In the study, a section of literature review is included after identification of the aims and objectives. Here, there is a critical review of what other sources and literature has said on the quality, customer satisfaction, variety and quantity of services and products, and prices of service and products of the restaurant (Bruyn, 348). This section is critical in the gathering information on the topic of the study as well as providing insight on the anticipated results at the end of the investigation. However, the section contains insufficient information on what literature says regarding the topic of study. This is because it has used very limited resources. Thus, the information is too scarce to determine the results of the research. Methodology In order to collect the adequate and appropriate information that help in the achievement of the set objectives of the study, the use of the questionnaire is complimentary. This is because it is designed in a way that is clear and easy for the respondents to read and respond to all questions. Besides (Beiske, 1-10) says that the ease and clarity of the questionnaire is instrumental in the reduction of time used by the respondents in answering the research questions. Notably, long and complex questionnaires are inappropriate in a study because they can discourage the respondents or bore them; hence failure to attain the research objectives. On the contrary, short and simple questionnaires are suitable in such a study because they motivate the respondents to provide credible and accurate information as regards the topic under study (Mcburney and Theresa, 49-52). Furthermore, in the questionnaire, a variety of ways of providing answers, for instance, clients can circle the choice out of the options provided, whereas some respondents can give answers by ticking boxes containing answer options. Nonetheless, there are certain responses to the questions by using negative and positive answers, such as, positive and negative answers in the questionnaire’s second page. This is the page hat addresses issues concerning the quality of the products and services offered by the restaurant to the entire clients. Biasness is eliminated in the study by avoiding questions that elicit opinions of the persons carrying out the study, for instance, “the hotel provides quality tea and coffee to its clients.” The questions in the survey are set concern the products and services that the hotel offer its customers (Robson, 243-249). Additionally, provisions of a wide range of responses to the research questions, some of the questions are designed to take Yes or No answers. On the questionnaire, it is indicated that if a No response is provided by a respondent, there should be an explanation to the chosen option (Dörnyei and Taguchi 26-36). Still, it is vital that the questionnaire contains questions that relate to the history of the restaurant, for example, “In comparison to last year, I am convinced that there is an improvement of the restaurant’s assortment”. Such a question provides a respondent with a Yes or No answer options, and provides an accurate date. Most significantly, there is a default on the quality and price section of the study questionnaire. This is because the section has Yes and No answer options, and may give rise to inaccurate responses by volunteers. Moreover, the positive and negative questions are viewed as unclear and ambiguous. Therefore, the objectives of the research will be achieved effectively if the Yes and No answer question are provided in the questionnaire. What is more, the study has employed a single data collection method. This makes the study incredible since other techniques have been ignored. It is imperative that more than one method is employed so as to allow the research team compare and contrast a variety of information before drawing conclusions. Some of the methods to use include face-to-face interviews and case studies. Sampling method should also be indicated in the study. Moreover, the study does not indicate ways of measuring its reliability and validity as it is recommended for all trustworthy studies. Ethical issues The research has taken into consideration ethical issues in the process of collecting data. Impliedly, the study ensures that the responses of the volunteers are kept highly confidential and anonymous. Moreover, it ascertains that the study ensured that there was an informed consent of the respondents. This is done in order to enhance their respondents security issues, and to encourage them freely give their opinions and answers to the questions concerning the restaurant’s performance. Notably, it is essential that all the respondents of a study are assured of security through maintenance of confidentiality. This is highly indispensable in the achievement of the research aims and objectives through collection of credible and appropriate information regarding the topic under study. Suggested ways of improving the survey The survey method used in the study needs a great deal of development and improvement in terms of the questionnaire. This is necessary in the achievement of the research aim and objectives. This section is intended to rid the questionnaire of any biasness. Beiske (1-10) asserts that a questionnaire is a list of questions that aims at collecting information regarding to the research topic upon the analysis and performance of many of its steps. It has a wide range of answers and questions. There are the close-ended questions that include those with True/False; Yes/No, on one hand, and those with ranking scale response options or multiple choice answers. In the case of analysis of research findings, close-ended questions can be analyzed. Results can be analyzed and presented by use of diagrams and graphs (Dörnyei and Taguchi 26-36). Besides, statistics are highly essential if a study intends employ graphs in its results presentation process. Qualitative information can be used in the gathering information through the use of open-ended questions. On contrast, close-ended questions may be more precise than the open-ended questions (Beiske, 1-10). According to Dörnyei and Taguchi (26-36), open-ended and close-ended questions are distinct in that the former offers a lot of data and allows the volunteers respond to questions by using their own words. On the contrary, the latter limits the volunteers’ answers to the research questions and that they are short; hence can be filled very fast. Notably, close-ended questions are more preferable than open-ended questions since they do not offer opinion options. Nonetheless, respondents take a short time to answer all the questions in the questionnaire. It also contains things that can capture the audiences’ attention, such as, border. Conclusions The assignment was completed by conducting a research on Salle A Manger restaurant. The aims and objectives of the study are stated clearly in the paper so as guide the collection of the adequate and appropriate information regarding the study topic. In the survey, a questionnaire has been used in order to facilitate easy and fast collection of data. The key steps taken in compiling this paper include introduction, identification of the aims and objectives, criticisms of the methodology, and recommendations on how to enhance the survey method used in the study. Moreover, some textbooks have been used as resources of in the paper. Besides, the main aim of the study is to examine the performance of the restaurant and to improve its sales through effective customer satisfaction. Therefore, the use of a questionnaire in the collection of information is highly beneficial in the study. Nevertheless, the study should conduct an extensive literature review so as to facilitate comparison of the actual research findings and what other people say about the topic of study. What is more, the study should employ other data collection methods, such as face-to-face studies so as to achieve variety of information. Works cited Beiske, Ben. Research methods: Uses and limitations of questionnaires, interviews, and case studies. München: GRIN Verlag GmbH, 2007. Pp. 1-10. Bruyn, Pippa. Frommer's India. City: Frommers, 2010. P. 348. Dörnyei, Zöltan and Taguchi Tatsuya. Questionnaires in Second Language Research. New York: Routledge, 2010. Pp. 26-36. Mcburney, Donald and Theresa L White. Research Methods. Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing, 2009.pp. 49-52. Robson, Colin. Real World Research. Oxford: Blackwell, 2002. Pp. 243-249. Read More