Participatory Methods

Collective Questionnaire

The Collective Questionnaire is a participatory dynamic that engages participants in the joint design of key questions to gather relevant information for a project, research, or intervention. This approach ensures that the questions reflect the group’s needs, interests, and perspectives, strengthening the validity and usefulness of the collected data.

Preparation

  1. Define the purpose:
    • Clarify the questionnaire’s objective: What type of information is being collected, and for what purpose? (e.g., gathering opinions, assessing needs, measuring impact).
  2. Identify the topic:
    • Define the central theme or specific areas to be addressed in the questions (e.g., education, community development, sustainability).
  3. Prepare materials:
    • Large paper, whiteboards, markers, or digital tools.
    • Templates for categorizing questions (by topics or complexity levels).

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Introduce the purpose
    • Explain the objective of the activity: to collaboratively design a questionnaire that reflects the group’s concerns and needs.
    • Ensure everyone understands the questionnaire’s topic or focus.
  2. Initial brainstorming
    • Encourage participants to suggest questions related to the topic.
    • Use sticky notes or cards to write each question and place them in a shared space (e.g., wall, whiteboard).
    • Promote creativity and ensure all ideas are considered at this stage.
  3. Question categorization
    • Organize the generated questions into main categories or themes.
    • Example categories:
      • Opinions and perceptions.
      • Prior knowledge.
      • Expectations and needs.
      • Suggestions or proposals.
  4. Refinement and selection
    • Discuss with the group which questions are most relevant to the questionnaire’s purpose.
    • Rephrase questions to make them clear, understandable, and unbiased.
    • Prioritize a manageable number of questions (e.g., 8-15).
  5. Pilot test (optional)
    • Conduct a test of the questionnaire with some participants to ensure the questions are appropriate and easy to answer.
    • Adjust the questionnaire based on the feedback received.
  6. Closure and reflection
    • Reflect with the group on the design process:
      • What key insights emerged?
      • How are participants’ perspectives reflected in the final questionnaire?
    • Ensure participants are informed about how the questionnaire results will be used.
Recommendations
  • Clear criteria: Define from the start the type of information you aim to collect.
  • Accessible language: Ensure that the questions are clear and easy to understand for all participants.
  • Active facilitation: Guide discussions to keep the focus on the questionnaire’s objective.
  • Pilot test: Whenever possible, test the questionnaire before applying it on a larger scale.
Inspiration

Opinions and Perceptions

  • What do you think about the current situation regarding [specific topic]?
  • How important is it for you to address this issue?
  • How do you think current actions are impacting the community?
  • What aspects of this project or initiative do you consider most successful?
  • How satisfied are you with the results achieved so far?
  • What positive factors would you highlight about the implemented strategies?
  • What key learnings do you consider most valuable from the process so far?
  • How do you feel about the progress made in this project?
  • How do you perceive communication among the different project participants?
  • What elements of the current situation concern you the most?

Needs and Expectations

  • What do you need to improve your experience or situation regarding this topic?
  • What additional resources do you consider essential for progress?
  • What changes do you hope this project will bring to your life or community?
  • What knowledge or skills would you like to gain from this initiative?
  • What expectations do you have for the project in the coming months?
  • What external support do you think would be useful for this process?
  • What specific aspects would you like to see prioritized in the next phases?
  • What do you hope to learn or improve as a result of this project?
  • What type of additional information would you like to receive on this topic?
  • How would you like your participation in this project to evolve?

Impact

  • What positive impact have you noticed since this project started?
  • In what ways do you think this program could be more effective?
  • How would you measure the success of this initiative?
  • What actions do you think have led to the most significant change so far?
  • Can you give specific examples of how this project has benefited you?
  • What significant changes have you observed in your environment or community?
  • What individual or collective learnings would you highlight from this project?
  • How would you describe the impact of this project on your quality of life?
  • What specific contributions of this project do you consider most relevant?
  • What transformations do you hope to see continue developing in the future?

Barriers and Challenges

  • What obstacles are you currently facing in this process or project?
  • What barriers do you think limit the success of this initiative?
  • What challenges do you foresee as the hardest to overcome in the future?
  • What external factors are affecting the project’s progress?
  • What solutions would you propose for the most significant challenges?
  • What recurring situations are causing delays or difficulties?
  • What is missing for project actions to run more smoothly?
  • What issues do you think should be prioritized to improve results?
  • What barriers do you think other project participants face?
  • How can difficulties related to available resources be addressed?

Suggestions and Proposals

  • What ideas do you have to improve the results of this initiative?
  • What additional activities or strategies do you think should be implemented?
  • How do you think we could better engage more people in this project?
  • What would you recommend to strengthen collaboration among participants?
  • What examples of similar projects inspire you and could be applied here?
  • What changes would you make in the methodology to achieve better results?
  • What tools or additional approaches would you suggest to enrich the project?
  • How could work sessions be made more dynamic or effective?
  • What complementary activities would you suggest to strengthen the project’s impact?
  • What innovative ideas do you think could enhance this process in the long term?
Materials
  • Sticky notes, large paper, or whiteboards for generating questions.
  • Markers or pens for writing questions.
Online platforms
Purpose
The purpose of the Collective Questionnaire is to ensure that the questions designed to gather information are relevant, clear, and representative of the perspectives and interests of all involved, fostering a participatory and collaborative process.
Type of activity
Participatory Action ResearchParticipatory EvaluationParticipatory Planning
Level of participation
Colaboración, Generación de conocimiento, Intercambio de perspectivas
Target audience
Líderes comunitarios, ONGs y colectivos sociales, Equipos empresariales, Funcionarios públicos, Investigadores
Fields of application
Educación y formación, Desarrollo comunitario, Gestión organizacional y empresarial, Planificación urbana y rural, Salud y bienestar social, Arte, cultura y creatividad, Sostenibilidad y medio ambiente, Políticas públicas y gobernanza, Innovación y diseño, Investigación y evaluación, Resolución de conflictos, Tecnología y entornos digitales, Participación ciudadana y social
Estimated duration
From 20 to 120 minutes, depending on the complexity of the topic, the format, and the number of questions to be generated.
Ideal number of participants
From 8 to 20 people to ensure a manageable and enriching discussion.
Topics related to this activity
Active CollaborationActive ListeningCitizen ParticipationCollaborative DiagnosisCollaborative LearningCollaborative ToolCollective DocumentationCollective LearningCollective ReflectionCommunity PerspectiveCreative Problem SolvingData CollectionKnowledge GenerationParticipatory DesignParticipatory EvaluationParticipatory MonitoringPerspective ExchangeQualitative ResearchQuestion GenerationVisual DocumentationVisual Tool
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