Know-How Exchange : Research/Metrics

That's great that you need one, but unfortunately you don't provide nearly enough info for us to be able to help. Please provide more info on the basics of your thesis, what info you are trying to find out from the questionnaire, etc.

Keep in mind that we don't do homework for others (we did enough of our own when we were in school, plus have learned that the important thing is not the end product homework you hand in, but that you actually did it and learned from it). So take a shot at it, and then let us know what areas you are having trouble with and we will provide some suggestions.

FIRST, TURN YOUR CAPS LOCK KEY OFF, THAT WAY, YOU WON'T APPEAR TO BE SHOUTING.

Next, what KIND of questionnaire are you looking for and consisting of how many questions, asking what kind of questions? What kind of analysis do you need to make and what does it tie to?

There's a problem with questionnaires, it's that you can't really depend on the results they generate.

I'll explain. My ex partner Brian (the one who dubbed me Moriarty) was intent on moving in with me. I made stipulations in that I didn't like the flat where he lived in Luneburg (and stated the reasons, there were 4). If we were to live together, that was it. He said "yes" consistently. In other words, had I run a questionnaire, he'd have ticked all the boxes and been a perfect match.

The point is that you can say a lot of things, it's when it comes to doing them that the problems start. That's when the businessman comes up with an excuse. The person who answered your survey in the street, stating that they'll visit it. When they walk past your shop the next day, it's a case of "maybe tomorrow".

Now there are questions you can ask on a survey and get real data. This happens to be my expertise, by the way. I'll give you an idea. I live in the Netherlands and speak excellent Dutch - if a little accented after all these years, because I'm English. I need ask one question to know if the person I'm speaking to will make a good customer. Or not.

The issue here is that this has nothing to do with business, nothing to do with advertising or marketing - and everything to do with quality. Because it's quality leads I'm after, and winnowing out the chaff is extremely important if you're not going to waste your time. The point is that the kind of people I work with best are those who have a degree of self confidence - and self confidence is a pre-requisite if they are to make sensible amounts of money on or offline. And that is final. If you have self confidence and work with me you'll make money.

But I need to know the answer to one question: "How good is my Dutch?"

And that's it!

I can tell everything from the answer they give me. I'll tell you if they'll succeed in their business or struggle!

So when it comes to questionnaires, be very, very careful. However, you'll have to do a lot of reverse-engineering to get meaningful data that you can quantify in numerical terms. I do a lot of this, and believe me, it takes a lot of imagination! I only do this in cases where people really need it - most of the time they're satisfied with my reasonings, which do stand up for themselves. It's also a lot less expensive!