Questionnaire vs. Scale: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 5, 2023
A "Questionnaire" is a set of questions for collecting data, while a "Scale" is a tool or standard for measurement or comparison.
Key Differences
"Questionnaire" and "Scale" are both instruments used for data collection in various research fields, yet their purposes and structures differ significantly. A "Questionnaire" is a structured compilation of questions designed to gather information from respondents about a particular subject or interest. These questions can range from open-ended to multiple choice. In contrast, a "Scale" is an instrument or method used to assign values or scores to certain attributes, often based on the responses to specific items or stimuli.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
The design of a "Questionnaire" is pivotal for capturing accurate, relevant data. It can be utilized across various fields such as market research, psychology, or health studies. A "Scale", meanwhile, especially in the context of psychometrics, is employed to measure intangible attributes like attitudes, personality traits, or feelings. For instance, the Likert scale gauges the strength of respondents' agreement or disagreement with statements.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
"Questionnaires" offer a way to understand perceptions, beliefs, or behaviors by posing direct questions to participants. These questions can be diverse and tailored to fit the study's goals. On the other hand, a "Scale" might be embedded within a questionnaire, offering graded options for responses. It quantifies perceptions, allowing for a more standardized comparison across participants.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
While "Questionnaires" and "Scales" can be used independently, they often intersect in many research designs. For instance, a questionnaire may utilize a scale to quantify certain responses, providing both qualitative and quantitative insights. Thus, while they serve different primary functions - a questionnaire for inquiry and a scale for measurement - their combination can offer comprehensive data for analysis.
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023
Comparison Chart
Primary Purpose
Data collection through direct questions
Measurement of attributes or phenomena
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Oct 03, 2023
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Structure
Set of questions (open-ended to multiple choice)
Defined range or gradation for responses
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Oct 03, 2023
Application
Market research, health studies, psychology
Psychometrics, surveys, evaluations
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Oct 03, 2023
Flexibility
Can be tailored to specific research goals
Standardized for consistent measurements
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023
Dependency
Can be standalone or contain scales within
Often used within questionnaires
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023
Questionnaire and Scale Definitions
Questionnaire
Can be paper-based or digital.
Participants completed the online questionnaire in 15 minutes.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023
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Scale
Quantifies intangible attributes.
The pain scale helped the doctor understand the patient's discomfort.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Questionnaire
A tool for gathering data.
Researchers used a questionnaire to understand dietary habits.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Scale
Often standardized for consistency.
Researchers use the Likert scale for attitude surveys.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023
Questionnaire
A structured set of questions.
The company sent out a customer satisfaction questionnaire.
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023
Scale
One of the many small hard dermal or epidermal structures that characteristically form the external covering of fishes and reptiles and certain mammals, such as pangolins.
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Dec 13, 2022
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Questionnaire
Used to capture respondent opinions.
The feedback questionnaire gave insights into product improvements.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Scale
A similar part in other animals, such as one of the thin flat overlapping structures that cover the wings of butterflies and moths.
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Dec 13, 2022
Questionnaire
May contain open or closed questions.
The questionnaire had multiple-choice and short-answer sections.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Scale
A small, thin, often flattened plant structure, such as one of the modified leaves that cover a tree bud or one of the structures that bear the reproductive organs on the cones of a conifer.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Questionnaire
A form containing a set of questions, especially one addressed to a statistically significant number of subjects as a way of gathering information for a survey.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Questionnaire
A form containing a list of questions; a means of gathering information for a survey
Carry out a questionnaire
Fill out a questionnaire
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Dec 13, 2022
Questionnaire
A list of questions, usually on a printed form, to be answered by an individual. The forms often have blank spaces in which the answers can be written. Sets of such forms are distributed to groups and the answers used for various purposes, such as to obtain statistical information for social science, political, or marketing research, or to obtain information about a patient for the use of medical practitioners.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A flaky oxide film formed on a metal, as on iron, that has been heated to high temperatures.
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Questionnaire
A form containing a set of questions; submitted to people to gain statistical information
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A hard mineral coating that forms on the inside surface of boilers, kettles, and other containers in which water is repeatedly heated.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A system of ordered marks at fixed intervals used as a reference standard in measurement
A ruler whose scale is in inches.
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Scale
A proportion used in determining the dimensional relationship of a representation to that which it represents
A world map with a scale of 1:4,560,000.
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Scale
A calibrated line, as on a map or an architectural plan, indicating such a proportion.
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Scale
Proper proportion
A house that seemed out of scale with its surroundings.
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Scale
A progressive classification, as of size, amount, importance, or rank
Judging divers' performances on a scale of 1 to 10.
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Scale
A minimum wage fixed by contract
Musicians playing a benefit concert for scale.
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Scale
(Mathematics) A system of notation in which the values of numerical expressions are determined by their places relative to the chosen base of the system
The decimal scale.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(Music) An ascending or descending collection of pitches proceeding by a specified scheme of intervals.
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Scale
To throw or propel (a thin flat object) through the air or along a surface, such as water or ice.
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Scale
(Dentistry) To remove (tartar) from tooth surfaces with a pointed instrument.
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Scale
To make in accord with a particular proportion or scale
Scale the model to be one tenth of actual size.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To alter according to a standard or by degrees; adjust in calculated amounts
Scaled down their demands.
Scaled back the scheduled pay increase.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To estimate or measure the quantity of lumber in (logs or uncut trees).
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To have a given weight, as determined by a scale
Cargo that scales 11 tons.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
An ordered, usually numerical sequence used for measurement, means of assigning a magnitude.
Please rate your experience on a scale from 1 to 10.
The magnitude of an earthquake is measured on the open-ended Richter scale.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
Size; scope.
On an enormous scale was a blood-feast.
There are some who question the scale of our ambitions.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
The ratio of depicted distance to actual distance.
This map uses a scale of 1:10.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A line or bar associated with a drawing, used to indicate measurement when the image has been magnified or reduced.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(music) A series of notes spanning an octave, tritave, or pseudo-octave, used to make melodies.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A mathematical base for a numeral system; radix.
The decimal scale; the binary scale
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
Gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative rank or order.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A standard amount of money to be received by a performer or writer, negotiated by a union.
Sally wasn't the star of the show, so she was glad to be paid scale.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
Part of an overlapping arrangement of many small, flat and hard pieces of keratin covering the skin of an animal, particularly a fish or reptile.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A small piece of pigmented chitin, many of which coat the wings of a butterfly or moth to give them their color.
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Scale
Part of an overlapping arrangement of many small, flat and hard protective layers forming a pinecone that flare when mature to release pine nut seeds.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A device to measure mass or weight.
After the long, lazy winter I was afraid to get on the scale.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(transitive) To change the size of something whilst maintaining proportion; especially to change a process in order to produce much larger amounts of the final product.
We should scale that up by a factor of 10.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(transitive) To climb to the top of.
Hilary and Norgay were the first known to have scaled Everest.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To tolerate significant increases in throughput or other potentially limiting factors.
That architecture won't scale to real-world environments.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(transitive) To weigh, measure or grade according to a scale or system.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(transitive) To remove the scales of.
Please scale that fish for dinner.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(intransitive) To become scaly; to produce or develop scales.
The dry weather is making my skin scale.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(transitive) To strip or clear of scale; to descale.
To scale the inside of a boiler
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(transitive) To take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off, as a surface.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(intransitive) To separate and come off in thin layers or laminae.
Some sandstone scales by exposure.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(transitive) To clean, as the inside of a cannon, by the explosion of a small quantity of powder.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
The dish of a balance; hence, the balance itself; an instrument or machine for weighing; as, to turn the scale; - chiefly used in the plural when applied to the whole instrument or apparatus for weighing. Also used figuratively.
Long time in even scaleThe battle hung.
The scales are turned; her kindness weighs no moreNow than my vows.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
One of the small, thin, membranous, bony or horny pieces which form the covering of many fishes and reptiles, and some mammals, belonging to the dermal part of the skeleton, or dermoskeleton. See Cycloid, Ctenoid, and Ganoid.
Fish that, with their fins and shining scales,Glide under the green wave.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
Hence, any layer or leaf of metal or other material, resembling in size and thinness the scale of a fish; as, a scale of iron, of bone, etc.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
One of the small scalelike structures covering parts of some invertebrates, as those on the wings of Lepidoptera and on the body of Thysanura; the elytra of certain annelids. See Lepidoptera.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A small appendage like a rudimentary leaf, resembling the scales of a fish in form, and often in arrangement; as, the scale of a bud, of a pine cone, and the like. The name is also given to the chaff on the stems of ferns.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
The thin metallic side plate of the handle of a pocketknife. See Illust. of Pocketknife.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
An incrustation deposit on the inside of a vessel in which water is heated, as a steam boiler.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
The thin oxide which forms on the surface of iron forgings. It consists essentially of the magnetic oxide, Fe3O4. Also, a similar coating upon other metals.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
Hence, anything graduated, especially when employed as a measure or rule, or marked by lines at regular intervals.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
Gradation; succession of ascending and descending steps and degrees; progressive series; scheme of comparative rank or order; as, a scale of being.
There is a certain scale of duties . . . which for want of studying in right order, all the world is in confusion.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
Relative dimensions, without difference in proportion of parts; size or degree of the parts or components in any complex thing, compared with other like things; especially, the relative proportion of the linear dimensions of the parts of a drawing, map, model, etc., to the dimensions of the corresponding parts of the object that is represented; as, a map on a scale of an inch to a mile.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To weigh or measure according to a scale; to measure; also, to grade or vary according to a scale or system.
Scaling his present bearing with his past.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To strip or clear of scale or scales; as, to scale a fish; to scale the inside of a boiler.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To take off in thin layers or scales, as tartar from the teeth; to pare off, as a surface.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To clean, as the inside of a cannon, by the explosion of a small quantity of powder.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To separate and come off in thin layers or laminæ; as, some sandstone scales by exposure.
Those that cast their shell are the lobster and crab; the old skins are found, but the old shells never; so it is likely that they scale off.
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To climb by a ladder, or as if by a ladder; to ascend by steps or by climbing; to clamber up; as, to scale the wall of a fort.
Oft have I scaled the craggy oak.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
To lead up by steps; to ascend.
Satan from hence, now on the lower stair,That scaled by steps of gold to heaven-gate,Looks down with wonder.
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
The ratio between the size of something and a representation of it;
The scale of the map
The scale of the model
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
(music) a series of notes differing in pitch according to a specific scheme (usually within an octave)
Sawaira Riaz
Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A metal sheathing of uniform thickness (such as the shield attached to an artillery piece to protect the gunners)
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
A flattened rigid plate forming part of the body covering of many animals
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
Pattern, make, regulate, set, measure, or estimate according to some rate or standard
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Scale
Take by attacking with scaling ladders;
The troops scaled the walls of the fort
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Dec 13, 2022
Scale
Represents a range or gradation.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the service?
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023
Scale
A standard for comparison.
Architects use a scale to draw plans proportionally.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023
FAQs
Are all questionnaires quantitative?
No, questionnaires can be quantitative, qualitative, or mixed.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
Can a scale be used outside of research?
Yes, scales are used in various settings, from kitchens to music.
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Oct 03, 2023
Can one questionnaire have multiple scales?
Yes, a questionnaire can include multiple scales to measure different attributes.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
What's the main purpose of a questionnaire?
To gather data from respondents on specific topics.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
Is there a fixed format for scales?
No, but many standardized scales are widely accepted and used.
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023
What's the advantage of using a digital questionnaire?
Easier distribution, data collection, and analysis.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
Which is more versatile, questionnaire or scale?
Questionnaires are more versatile as they can cover various topics and include scales.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
Can scales measure emotions?
Yes, scales like the Likert scale can quantify emotions or attitudes.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
Can a questionnaire be oral?
Yes, some questionnaires are administered orally, especially in interviews.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 03, 2023
What ensures the accuracy of a scale?
Calibration and standardization ensure a scale's accuracy.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023
Are scales always numerical?
Mostly, but some scales use descriptors like "agree" or "disagree."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
Is feedback form a type of questionnaire?
Yes, feedback forms are a type of questionnaire focused on feedback.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
How to ensure a questionnaire's reliability?
Through pilot testing, revisions, and validation.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023
How long should a questionnaire be?
It varies, but it should be as concise as possible while gathering necessary data.
Harlon Moss
Oct 03, 2023
Can questionnaires be informal?
Yes, they can be informal, especially for internal feedback or casual settings.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 03, 2023
Can scales be subjective?
While the intent is objectivity, interpretation of scale results can be subjective.
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023
Why use a scale in a questionnaire?
To quantify and standardize responses for comparison.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Why are scales important in research?
They provide a standardized way to measure and compare data.
Sara Rehman
Oct 03, 2023
Are questionnaires always anonymous?
Not always, but anonymity can improve response honesty.
Janet White
Oct 03, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
