A sample of how to set a questionnaire for research in the business field

1. 1
QUESTIONNAIRE
Dear respondent,
This questionnaire is intended to provide information for a study that leads to award of the Degree
of Bachelor of Business Administration of LivingStone International University. It is meant to
assess the “effect of accounting software on cost management: a case of accounts department at
LivingStone International University”.
You have been selected to participate in this research study by providing information and are kindly
requested to complete the questionnaire, as honestly as possible.
NOTE: the information that you’ll provide is only for the purpose of this study and will be treated
as confidential.
Please, sign below as a sign of consent.
Thank you,
Joseph Oloba (Researcher) ………………………………………………………
Sign of Respondent ………………………………………………………
SECTION A
Demographic data
For this section, tick in the appropriate box.□
1. Sex: 1. Male ♂□ 2. Female♀□
2. Age: 1. 20-30yrs□ 2. 31-40yrs□ 3.41-50yrs□4.51-60yrs□5.Above 61yrs□
3. Education level: 1. Certificate□2.Diploma □3.Degree □4.Masters□
5. Doctorate/ PhD□6. Other (please specify)…A………………………….
4. Duration of stay at LIU: 1. 1yr □ 2. 2yrs □ 3.3yrs □ 4. 4yrs□
5. More than 5yrs □
5. Marital Status: 1. Single□2.Married□3.Separated □ 4.Widowed□
5. Other (please specify) ………………………………………………………….
6. Religious Affiliation: 1. Protestant □2.Catholic□3. Pentecostal □4.Muslim□5. Other
(please specify)………………………………………………
7. Classification: 1. Student Leader □ 2. Faculty Staff □ 3. Faculty Dean □
4. Accounts Office □ 3. Other (please specify)……………………………….

2. 2
Questionnaire Guide:
1. Strongly disagree. 2. Disagree. 3. Not sure. 4. Agree. 5. Strongly agree.
Instructions: For each of the following items, please tick in the box that best represents your
suitable opinion as it is in each statement.
SECTION B
Budgeting and Performance
Budgeting 1 2 3 4 5
8 Accounting software is used in the accounts department
9 The budget is reflected in the accounting software
10 Expenses are recorded vis-à-vis budgeted amounts during budget execution
11 The budget is easily accessible both in soft & hard copies
Performance 1 2 3 4 5
12 Software notifications and alerts help track performance patterns
13 Accounting software is used when assessing university financial performance
14 Expenses in the accounts office help reflect cost performance levels
15 There is a functioning and un-biased performance evaluation program in the
university
SECTION C
Records Management and Control
Records Management 1 2 3 4 5
16 Accounting software facilitates an organized documentation planning in LIU
17 LIU produces monthly financial summaries generated directly from software
18 Accounting software is used when financial meetings are called upon
19 File folders & shelves for keeping past information printed from the software
are visible in the accounts department
Control 1 2 3 4 5
20 Software usage has improved control & monitoring of cost information
21 An automated payroll system is used at accounts department
22 LIU’s strategic plan is fully reflected in the software
23 Accounting software has empowered the accountants on cost decisions
24 Software is regularly updated to meet the current control needs
SECTION D
Auditing and Accountability
Auditing 1 2 3 4 5
25 There is a fully established annual auditing program in LIU
26 Auditors are appointed by the LIU’s board of directors
27 Auditors are aided by information from the accounting software during the
audit period
28 Software is used to audit the university financial statements
Accountability 1 2 3 4 5
29 LIU publishes accounting information for the general public
30 Accounting software has improved accountability in the university
31 Accounting software has improved access to accounting information in LIU
32 Books of accounts that reflect the cost component of book keeping are
highlighted in the software just as they appear in the source documents

3. 3
SECTION E
Intervening Variables
a) Organizational Policies 1 2 3 4 5
33 In managing university funds, technology is given a higher attention
34 University policy favors the use of software in the accounts office
35 Costs decisions take a long process due to bureaucratic systems in place
36 Auditing books of accounts is done both internally and externally
37 Departments work independently and with limited interference by others
38 Guidelines on accounting issues of LIU are less restrictive
b) Management 1 2 3 4 5
39 There has been significant financial transparency by the management
40 Funds are well managed and records properly preserved
41 Motivation of employees is prioritized and they perform their jobs with
honesty & integrity
42 Every head of department has authority to implement plans without
interference from top managers
43 Managers have easy access to growth & development activities like seminars,
workshops, and other resourceful involvements
44 The organogram (organizational structure) is fair & limits role conflicts
45 Diversity is given priority as regards to appointment to managerial positions
c) Environment 1 2 3 4 5
46 The government laws and regulations favor the use of software in accounting
47 There is adequate confidentiality among the staff and students – therefore,
sensitive financial information is protected
48 The environmental atmosphere is favorable for both workers and students
49 The university interacts with the general public so often
50 Freedom of expression is observed as a basic human right and not disturbed
51 There is reliable access to information in the university
52 Social interaction is valued at the university
SECTION F
53. Overall, please rank your satisfaction level on the performance of software in accounts
department in relation to the management of university costs:
1. Extremely Satisfied □
2. Satisfied □
3. Neutral □
4. Dissatisfied □
5. Extremely Dissatisfied □
Please, recommend on some of the ways cost management can be improved by use of accounting
software:________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your cooperation!