How do you design a screening questionnaire to filter out unsuitable candidates? (2024)

Before you write any questions, you need to identify your objectives for the focus group. What is the main topic or issue you want to explore? Who is your target audience or market segment? What are the key criteria or characteristics that define them? How many participants do you need and how will you recruit them? These objectives will guide you to create a screening questionnaire that aligns with your research goals.

Next, you need to choose your questions for the screening questionnaire. You should have a mix of closed-ended and open-ended questions, depending on the type and level of information you need. Closed-ended questions are easier to answer and analyze, but they limit the range of responses. Open-ended questions allow more flexibility and depth, but they require more time and effort from the respondents and the researchers. You should also balance between factual and attitudinal questions, depending on how much you want to know about the participants' behavior, preferences, opinions, or motivations.

Once you have chosen your questions, you need to write them in a clear, concise, and respectful way. You should avoid jargon, ambiguity, leading, or biased wording that might confuse or influence the respondents. You should also avoid asking sensitive or personal questions that might make the respondents uncomfortable or reluctant to answer. You should use simple and direct language that is easy to understand and follow. You should also use consistent and logical formats, scales, and options for your questions.

Before you use your questionnaire to screen candidates, you need to test it for validity and reliability. You should conduct a pilot test with a small sample of potential participants who fit your target profile. You should ask them to complete the questionnaire and provide feedback on the clarity, length, and relevance of the questions. You should also check the quality and consistency of the responses and identify any errors or gaps in the data. You should revise your questionnaire based on the results and feedback of the pilot test.

Finally, you need to administer your questionnaire to your target population and select your focus group participants. You should choose a method and mode of delivery that suits your objectives, budget, and timeline. You can use online, phone, mail, or face-to-face surveys, depending on the availability and accessibility of your respondents. You should also consider the response rate, the completion rate, and the dropout rate of your survey. You should analyze the responses and select the participants who meet your criteria and represent your target audience.

After you have selected your participants, you need to follow up with them and confirm their attendance and participation. You should send them a confirmation email or letter that includes the details of the focus group, such as the date, time, location, duration, topic, and incentive. You should also remind them of the purpose and expectations of the focus group and the confidentiality and consent agreements. You should also provide them with a contact person and a backup plan in case of any changes or issues.

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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