What is a common research instrument used to obtain feedback on specific topics?

A questionnaire is a common research instrument specifically designed to collect targeted feedback on particular topics. This tool comprises a series of questions, which can be open-ended or closed-ended, allowing researchers to gather quantitative or qualitative data from respondents efficiently. The structured format of a questionnaire enables the collection of consistent and comparable information from multiple participants, making it easier to analyze trends, opinions, and behaviors related to the subject of interest.

Questionnaires can be administered in various ways, including online, in person, or via mail, expanding their reach and accessibility. They are particularly effective in situations where specific feedback is required from a larger audience, which is often crucial for making informed marketing decisions, understanding customer preferences, or evaluating service satisfaction.

While focus groups and surveys can also serve research purposes, they differ in their approach and execution. A focus group involves group discussions that provide deeper insights but may not lend themselves to quantifiable data like a questionnaire. Surveys can encompass various formats and can include questionnaires as part of their methodology, but the term is broader and may involve diverse methods of data collection beyond just structured questions. Therefore, a questionnaire stands out as the most direct and conventional tool for obtaining feedback on specific topics.