What is a written set of questions for a research participant called?

What is a written set of questions for a research participant called?

• A. Questionnaire
• B. Quiz
• C. Survey
• D. Application

Answer: (A)

A written set of questions for a research participant is referred to as a questionnaire. This term specifically denotes a structured tool designed to gather information or data from respondents, typically in a systematic format. Questionnaires can consist of various question types, including open-ended and closed-ended questions, and are commonly used in both qualitative and quantitative research settings. This tool is crucial in research because it enables researchers to collect consistent and comparable data from multiple participants. A well-designed questionnaire ensures that the information gathered is relevant and valuable for the research questions being studied. In this context, while other terms like survey and quiz may seem similar, they have distinct meanings. A survey is generally a broader term that can include various methods of data collection, including questionnaires, interviews, and observational methods. A quiz, on the other hand, typically refers to a test of knowledge or skills, rather than a research tool. An application usually refers to a form used to request something, such as admission or a job, rather than a data collection instrument in a research setting. Therefore, "questionnaire" accurately captures the essence of what is being described.

What do we call a written set of questions? A simple term with a surprising amount of weight

Let’s get straight to the point, because in the world of court reporting and research, words carry weight. A written set of questions designed to collect information from someone is called a questionnaire. That’s the name you’ll see in research reports, interviews, and many kinds of formal data gathering. It isn’t just a fancy label; it’s a precise descriptor that tells you how the information is meant to flow, and what kind of data you should expect to capture in transcripts.

Here’s the thing: people often mix up a few similar terms—survey, quiz, application—and that mix-up can trip you up in the moment. The nuances matter, especially when you’re aiming for clarity and accuracy in a transcript. Let’s untangle them a bit, so you know when to call something a questionnaire, and when another word is more appropriate.

Questionnaire, survey, quiz, application: what’s what

• Questionnaire: A written set of questions, typically designed to gather data from respondents in a structured format. Question types can vary—some questions ask for short, concrete answers, others invite longer, descriptive responses. The key is structure: a predictable order, standardized questions, and a focus on data collection.

• Survey: A broader term. A survey can include a questionnaire, but it can also incorporate interviews, observations, or other methods of gathering information. Think of a survey as a bigger umbrella under which questionnaires can sit.

• Quiz: A test of knowledge or skill. Quizzes are usually evaluative, with scoring tied to correctness. They aren’t primarily about collecting research data; they’re about measuring what a person knows or can do.

• Application: A form used to request something—admission, a job, a membership. It’s less about research data collection and more about eligibility or qualification. The structure is often similar to a questionnaire, but the purpose is different.

So, why does “questionnaire” win here? Because it signals a controlled, repeatable set of prompts designed to produce data that researchers can analyze. It’s not about testing someone’s knowledge, and it’s not a broad data-gathering approach like a survey. It’s specifically the written tool that standardizes questions to make data comparable across respondents.

RPR relevance: how questionnaires show up in the real world of court reporting

If you’re eyeing a career path with the NCRA and you’ve spent time with RPR content, you know transcripts aren’t just about spoken words. They’re records of a process, including the forms, records, and documents that parties bring to a deposition or hearing. Questionnaires pop up in several practical ways:

• Intake forms and affidavits: In some cases, participants may submit questionnaire-style forms to establish background, timelines, or background information before or after a deposition. Your job as a reporter is to accurately capture what is asked and what is answered, including the exact wording and any nuances in the response.

• Expert materials and checklists: Experts sometimes provide questionnaire-style materials to guide questions during testimony or to document criteria, symptoms, or procedures. You’ll be expected to transcribe the questions as they appear, then clearly delineate answers in the record.

• Research-based testimonies: In complex cases, parties might rely on questionnaires to collect data that informs the testimony. The transcript should preserve the sequence, structure, and intent of those questions so future readers can understand how the information was gathered.

• Depositions with standardized forms: Some depositions involve standardized questions that look and feel like a questionnaire. In these moments, recognizing the format helps you maintain consistent punctuation, capitalization, and numbering when you render the record.

And here’s a practical angle: knowing what a questionnaire is helps you decide how to format the transcript. A well-structured questionnaire that appears in the record often follows a predictable pattern—question, response, sometimes a follow-up. You’ll want to reflect that rhythm clearly so someone reading the transcript later can skim and understand.

What makes a good questionnaire, and why it matters for clear transcripts

A well-designed questionnaire shares a few reliable traits:

• Clarity: Each question is straightforward, with no hidden double meaning. The respondent should be able to answer without ambiguity.

• Relevance: Every item ties back to the research aims. Irrelevant questions don’t help the dataset and complicate the record.

• Balance of question types: A mix of open-ended and closed-ended items provides both structure and depth. The closed-ended items support easy coding, while the open-ended ones capture nuance.

• Consistent wording: Repetition or rewording within the same instrument can confuse respondents and complicate transcription. Consistency is your friend.

• Logical flow: A good questionnaire follows a natural progression, often moving from general to specific or from demographic to substantive questions.

From a transcription stance, these traits translate into practical cues:

• Structure cues: When you see a questionnaire embedded in testimony, keep the numbering, headings, and indentation intact. This helps readers spot sections quickly.

• Punctuation cues: Closed-ended responses—Yes, No, a checkbox option—should be transcribed precisely as they appear. If a respondent hedges or qualifies a response, capture those qualifiers faithfully.

• Open-ended nuance: Allow space for longer responses and quote them accurately. These answers can carry the heat of the moment, so to speak, and they deserve careful rendering.

• Consistency checks: If there’s a preface like “Please answer the following questions,” your transcript should reflect that as a narrative lead-in, not as a separate aside.

Common slip-ups to avoid

• Treating every question as if it’s the same type: Open-ended and closed-ended questions require different transcription approaches. Don’t flatten them into one rhythm.

• Over-notating every pause or breath: In a standard questionnaire item, you don’t need to emphasize every pause. Focus on what affects meaning: the question, the answer, and any explicit qualifiers.

• Confusing the tool with the outcome: A questionnaire is a method; the data it yields is the outcome. Keep the instrument distinct from the data it produces in your notes.

• Blurring the line between survey and questionnaire: A survey might include a questionnaire as a component, but the two aren’t interchangeable. Respect the terminology to preserve clarity for readers of the transcript.

A quick, concrete example to visualize the difference

Imagine a deposition where a researcher provides a brief questionnaire to a participant. The transcript might include a header like “Questionnaire Instrument A,” followed by items such as:

1. What is your age? (open-ended)

2. Do you currently take any medications? (Yes/No)

3. If yes, please list them. (open-ended)

4. How would you rate your daily stress level on a scale of 1 to 5? (closed-ended with scale)

A few seconds of formatting shows the separation between instrument items and spoken testimony. The interviewer’s wording matters, but the transcript’s job is to preserve the exact form as presented and the participant’s precise response. In this setup, the term “questionnaire” signals a formal, repeatable data-collection tool, not a test of knowledge or a broad poll.

Bringing the term into daily life: a few analogies

Think of a questionnaire as a recipe card for data. Each ingredient (question) is measured and listed in a fixed order, so anyone following the card can produce the same dish (the data) with predictable results. Or picture a music score: the questions are notes, the responses are the player’s interpretation, and the transcript is the sheet music that others read to understand what happened in the room.

That analogy helps, especially when you’re learning to switch between listening and writing. You’re not just capturing words; you’re preserving a method—the way the person chose to collect information, and how the respondent engaged with it.

A few tips to keep in mind as you study and work

• Stay curious about terms. If you hear “forms” or “instrument” in a document, check whether they’re referring to a questionnaire. The precise label can guide how you format the record.

• Notice structure in real life. In meetings, reports, or even client questionnaires, the arrangement often mirrors a standard instrument. Recognizing that helps you keep notes tight and consistent.

• Practice with variety. Look for examples that mix open-ended and closed-ended items. Transcribe the questions as they appear and capture the responses with fidelity.

• Use clear punctuation. If a respondent quotes a question within a response, or if the item includes choices (A, B, C), reproduce that structure to maintain clarity.

A moment to breathe and reflect

If you’re reading this with an eye toward the field, you’re doing more than memorizing terms. You’re building a toolbox for clear, credible records. The word questionnaire isn’t just a label; it’s a doorway into understanding how information is gathered, organized, and interpreted. When you hear it in a transcript, you’ll know exactly what to expect: a structured set of prompts designed to elicit consistent data, captured with care and transformed into a readable, reliable record.

Closing thoughts: why this matters in the broader picture

In the end, the distinction matters because precision in language underpins precision in transcription. The RPR path—whatever your specific route—thrives on clear terms, thoughtful formatting, and an appreciation for how information is produced. A questionnaire is a tiny but mighty instrument in that ecosystem: a written gateway to data, a defined protocol within a larger process, and a reminder that the way a question is asked often shapes the answer.

So the next time you encounter a set of written questions, you’ll recognize the shape: a questionnaire. You’ll know why it’s chosen, how it’s meant to function, and how to reflect it faithfully in your notes. And if you’re like many reporters who value crisp, accurate records, that awareness will show up in the transcript—word-for-word, structure-for-structure, with the confidence that comes from truly understanding the tools of the trade.