Asking chatgpt to come up with a questionnaire survey design: a note for Housing Studies students

Asking chatgpt to come up with a questionnaire survey design: a note for Housing Studies students

The following is my dialogue with chatgpt (accessed via poe.com) to produce a questionnaire survey design to study housing affordability via the conceptual lens of social solidarity:

My question 1: "I am a part-time Housing Studies student, currently learning the subject of Research Methods. My present assignment topic is "an examination of how the contemporary housing affordability issue in Hong Kong can affect its organic social solidarity". My research method to use is questionnaire survey with convenience sampling. My first question is: what are the main ideas underlying of organic social solidarity in sociology?"

The reply from chatgpt is: "Organic social solidarity is a concept introduced by sociologist Émile Durkheim, primarily in his work "The Division of Labor in Society." Here are the main ideas underlying this concept:

Division of Labor: Organic solidarity arises in complex, industrial societies where there is a high degree of specialization. Different individuals and groups perform specific roles that contribute to the overall functioning of society.

Interdependence: In a society characterized by organic solidarity, individuals are interdependent due to their specialized roles. This interdependence fosters a sense of unity, as people rely on each other to meet their needs.

Collective Consciousness: Unlike mechanical solidarity, which is based on shared beliefs and values, organic solidarity relies on a collective consciousness that emerges from the recognition of individual roles and contributions.

Social Cohesion: Despite the diversity of roles and possible conflicts of interest, there is a cohesive bond formed through the realization that everyone’s contributions are essential for societal functioning.

Integration and Cooperation: Organic solidarity promotes integration and cooperation among various social groups, as each group recognizes its place within the larger system.

Adaptability and Change: This form of solidarity allows societies to adapt to changes and challenges, as individuals are more likely to collaborate across different sectors.

Social Order: The stability of organic solidarity is maintained through legal and political frameworks that regulate relationships and ensure that everyone fulfills their roles effectively.

Understanding these concepts can help you explore how housing affordability in Hong Kong might influence social cohesion and solidarity within its community, particularly in relation to individual roles and dependence on one another."

My question 2: "Tks for clarification. Could you come up with a questionnaire survey form consisting of 20 questions with options as well as 5-point scale opinion rating. This form I can distribute to my friends as survey respondents?"

The reply from chatgpt is: "Here's a sample questionnaire survey form tailored for your topic on housing affordability and organic social solidarity in Hong Kong. You can modify it as needed.

Questionnaire on Housing Affordability and Social Solidarity in Hong Kong

Instructions: Please answer the following questions. For questions with a 5-point scale, rate your opinion from 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree).

Section 1: Demographic Information

Age:

Under 18

18-24

25-34

35-44

45 and above

Gender:

Male

Female

Non-binary

Prefer not to say

Occupation:

Student

Employed

Unemployed

Retired

Other: __________

Monthly Income (HKD):

Below 10,000

10,000 - 20,000

20,001 - 30,000

30,001 - 40,000

Above 40,000

Section 2: Housing Affordability

Do you currently own your home?

Yes

No

How affordable do you find housing in Hong Kong?

1 (Very Unaffordable)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Very Affordable)

Have you ever experienced difficulty in finding affordable housing?

Yes

No

How satisfied are you with your current living conditions?

1 (Very Dissatisfied)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Very Satisfied)

Do you believe housing prices in Hong Kong are rising too fast?

1 (Strongly Disagree)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Strongly Agree)

How concerned are you about the housing affordability issue in Hong Kong?

1 (Not Concerned)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Very Concerned)

Section 3: Social Solidarity

Do you feel a sense of community in your neighborhood?

1 (Strongly Disagree)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Strongly Agree)

Has the housing affordability issue affected your relationships with neighbors?

1 (Not at All)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Very Much)

Do you think housing issues create divisions among different social groups?

1 (Strongly Disagree)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Strongly Agree)

How important is social solidarity to you in addressing housing issues?

1 (Not Important)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Very Important)

Do you participate in community activities or organizations related to housing?

Yes

No

Section 4: General Opinions

How much do you trust the government to address housing affordability in Hong Kong?

1 (No Trust)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Complete Trust)

Do you believe that improving housing affordability would enhance social solidarity?

1 (Strongly Disagree)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Strongly Agree)

How often do you discuss housing issues with friends or family?

Rarely

Occasionally

Sometimes

Often

Very Often

Do you think your social network is affected by housing affordability?

1 (Not at All)

2

3 (Neutral)

4

5 (Very Much)

What do you believe is the most critical factor in improving housing affordability in Hong Kong?

Government policy

Community initiatives

Economic growth

Public awareness

Other: __________

Thank you for your participation! Your responses will help in understanding the relationship between housing affordability and social solidarity in Hong Kong."

My question 3: "Are there any ethical issues I need to pay attention to for carrying out this questionnaire survey?"

The reply from chatgpt is: "Yes, there are several ethical issues to consider when conducting a questionnaire survey. Here are some key points:

Informed Consent: Ensure that participants understand the purpose of the survey and what their participation entails. Obtain their consent before they participate.

Voluntary Participation: Participation should be voluntary, and respondents should feel free to withdraw at any time without any consequences.

Confidentiality: Protect the privacy of participants by keeping their responses confidential. Avoid collecting personally identifiable information unless absolutely necessary.

Anonymity: If possible, ensure that responses are anonymous. This encourages honest and open feedback.

Sensitive Topics: Be cautious if your questions touch on sensitive issues. Consider the potential impact on participants and provide support or resources if needed.

Minimizing Harm: Ensure that the survey does not cause psychological or emotional distress to participants.

Data Usage: Clearly explain how the data will be used and stored. Make sure participants know if their responses will be shared or published.

Debriefing: After the survey, consider providing a debriefing to explain the study's purpose and how their input contributes to the research.

Research Ethics Approval: If you're affiliated with an academic institution, check if you need ethics approval from an institutional review board (IRB) or ethics committee.

Misleading Information: Avoid any misleading questions or information that could skew results or misrepresent your intentions.

Addressing these ethical considerations will help ensure the integrity of your research and the well-being of your participants."

Reference: a collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.