THE PRESENT STATUS OF QUESTIONNAIRE-DERIVED OPINION DATA.

The article presents an analyzes of effectiveness of questionnaire technique of gathering data in behavioral sciences. The reason for the wider use of the paper and pencil technique in any area of the study of human behavior has been its relative simplicity and its wider coverage. The questionnaire technique of gathering data in the behavioral sciences has been subjected to increasing criticism. The criticism has varied from attacks on specific techniques and studies to categoric dismissal of all attitude investigations as useless "verbalizations in response to symbolic abstractions." One of the most serious weaknesses of the paper and pencil approach is that the symbolized responses of a subject in a test situation may not truly indicate one's response in a situation calling for non-verbalized action. It is believed that questionnaires are instruments of doubtful accuracy for measuring even ideological behavior. The conclusion is that more research into the accuracy and consistency of questionnaire responses is needed.