Psychology
StephDiaz
DEMOGRAPHICQuestionnaireSample10-2020.docxDemographic Questionnaire Guidelines and Example Items
A Demographic Questionnaire (DQ) is intended to collect factual information about the population you intend to study. In research the demographic questionnaire increases internal validity which supports the relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable, and reduces the risk of extraneous variables affecting the outcome of the dependent variable. The DQ “profiles” your participants in order to reduce variability in the sample population.
Guideline about Item-writing:
a. Be considerate and respectful of the population you are asking to complete your questionnaire. Never assume the participant knows what you know or can read your mind.
b. Items should ask factual related to lifestyle and events
c. Content cannot be diagnostic. Diagnostic questions belong in a screening questionnaire separate from the demographic questionnaire. Diagnostic questions measure the degree or severity of an of illness.
d. All items on the DQ are evidence based, they are derived from what your literature review reveals and not your imagination.
f. One item per question. For example, do NOT ask the following type of question: “what is your occupation and are you satisfied with the work environment. Should be two items.
g. Anchor choices must be mutually exclusive with no overlap: a. < 1 hour b. 1-2 hours c. > 2 hours
h. Never write acronyms or abbreviations. CBT should be written cognitive behavioral therapy.
i. Content cannot raise emotions or allude to social desirability- be neutral.
j. Every item in the DQ must be related to your hypothesis and covered in the literature review. If the study has nothing to do with religion, you should not ask about religion.
k. Limit the amount of open-ended items. They become too cumbersome to interpret when using quantitative data.
l. Include the “not sure” or “I don’t remember” anchor for sensitive items
m. Consider if “Yes” and “No” anchors are appropriate. Appropriate for “have you ever given birth to a child,” but bad for “have you ever been pregnant” where “Maybe” or “I do not remember” or “Not Applicable” is a better fit.
Below are some examples of questions one would ask for an experiment about drug use and anxiety. Even though you developed these questions, they are a product of your literature review which reveal certain characteristics that are found in the population you are studying and should be asked.
Sample Demographic Questionnaire items:
1. Have you been diagnosed with anxiety by a mental health or medical professional?
a. Yes b. No c. Not sure
2. When were you diagnosed with anxiety?
a. Within the last 30 days b. Between 1 month and 6 months c. Between 6 months and 1 year d. More than one year
3. How old were you when you were diagnosed with anxiety?
a. Between 5-12 years old b. Between 13 -17 years old c. Between 18-21 years old d. Between 22–25 Year old e. 26 years or older
4. When you were diagnosed with anxiety, were you prescribed any medications to help you with the anxiety?
5. Which medication were you prescribed for the anxiety?
a. Valium (diazepam)
b. Xanax (alprazolam)
c. Klonopin (clonazepam)
d. Ativan (lorazepam)
e. Other ______________
6. At the time of your diagnosis, did you use the prescribed medication to reduce anxiety?
7. Do you continue to use the prescribed medication?
a. Yes b. No c. Not sure
8. Have you been diagnosed for any other mental health condition separate from the anxiety diagnosis?
a. Yes b. No c. Not sure
9. If yes, what is the name of the other mental health condition?
a. Depression
b. Schizophrenia
c. Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
e. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
f. Psychosis/ Antipsychotic
g. Alzheimer / Dementia
h. Brain injury
i. Other __________________
j. I don’t know
10. Are you currently taking other medication prescribed by a mental health professional (Psychiatrist, Psychologist, or other physician)
a. Yes b. No c. Not sure
11. If yes, what is the other medication for?
b. To stabilize my mood g. Alzheimer / Dementia
c. Schizophrenia h. Brain injury
d. Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
e. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder I. Other
Other types of Demographic Questionnaire items with anchors:
12. The video about drug use was effective at helping me understand the long-term use effects of alternative drugs:
0------------------0--------------------------------0-------------------------------0----------------------------0
Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree
13. Please describe the most important thing the presented did to reduce your concerns about alternative drug use?
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