Difference between Questionnaire and Schedule – A questionnaire is a research instrument used by any researcher as a tool to collect data or gather information from any source or subject of his or her interest from the respondents. A schedule is a formalized arrangement of inquiries, proclamations, statements, and spaces for replies given to the enumerators who pose inquiries to the respondents and note down the responses.
What is a Questionnaire?
A questionnaire is a research instrument used by any researcher as a tool to collect data or gather information from any source or subject of his or her interest from the respondents. It has a specific goal to understand topics from the respondent’s point of view. The questionnaire consists of a set of written or printed questions with a choice of answers, devised for survey or statistical studies. It is the most popular type of primary data collection which can be used to gather both quantitative data ( in the form of numerals) and qualitative data (in the form of words, and figures) or mixed data which is a continuation of both quantitative and qualitative data.
What is a Schedule?
A schedule is a formalized arrangement of inquiries, proclamations, statements, and spaces for replies given to the enumerators who pose inquiries to the respondents and note down the responses. The enumerators personally visit the informants with the schedule and ask them questions from the given set of questions in the sequence in which the questions are prepared and record their lies in the provided space. The enumerators play a major role in collecting data through schedules as they have to explain the aim and proper interpretation of the questions to the respondents so that they can give accurate and proper answers. The most common example of using a schedule to collect data is the Population Census.
Difference between Questionnaire and Schedule
| Basis | Questionnaire | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A questionnaire is a research instrument used by any researcher as a tool to collect data or gather information from any source or subject of his or her interest from the respondents. | A scheduleis a formalized arrangement of inquiries, proclamations, statements, and spaces for replies given to the enumerators who pose inquiries to the respondents and note down the responses. |
| Filled by | A questionnaire is filled by the respondents. | A schedule is filled by an enumerator. |
| Response Rate | The response rate of a questionnaire is low. | The response rate of a schedule is high. |
| Cost | It is economical in terms of time, effort, and money. | It is expensive in terms of time, effort, and money. |
| Coverage | A large area can be covered through a questionnaire. | Comparatively small areas can be covered through a schedule. |
| Respondent’s Identity | The identity of the respondent is unknown. | As the enumerator visits the informant personally, his identity is known. |
| Dependency of Success | The success of a questionnaire depends upon its quality. | The success of a schedule depends upon the honesty and competence of the enumerator. |
| Usage | A questionnaire is used only when the people are literate and cooperative. | A schedule can be used in both cases when people are literate and illiterate. |
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Written by
Dr. Gaurav Jangra
Dr. Gaurav has a doctorate in management, a NET & JRF in commerce and management, an MBA, and a M.COM. Gaining a satisfaction career of more than 10 years in research and Teaching as an Associate professor. He published more than 20 textbooks and 15 research papers.
