Conferences

Previous research showed several scale and order effects in questionnaires that may differ between cultures (cf. Haberstroh et al., 2002; Hult et al. 2008). With the internationalization of university education, many universities in non-English speaking countries find themselves in situations where communication takes place in English. When students’ and staff experiences are investigated the data collection tool is in English as well. Also in international business studies often participants are required to answer an English questionnaire. In these situations English may be not native to any of the communication parties.

The aim of this study is to investigate scale and order effects in English self-administered questionnaires answered by non-native English speakers.

Master students enrolled in research methodology courses in fall 2008 and spring 2009 were randomly assigned to one of the 2 versions of the questionnaire. The questionnaires were administered in class and contained experimental questions and filler questions on student characteristics, course demands and language background.

In total more than 240 students filled in the questionnaire. These students were born in about 40 different countries and mentioned more than 30 different languages when asked what language they spoke with their parents or caretakers.

A scale effect was investigated by comparing scores on the experimental questions enquiring after “How successful would you say you have been in your life so far” with either an 11-point answer scale ranging from 0 to 10 or one ranging from -5 to +5. The second experimental question on time spent on study showed two sets of answer categories that overlapped only slightly. Questions on satisfaction with “your life in general” and satisfaction with “your life as a student at WUR” were asked in a different order to investigate an order effect. Overall results will be presented and different groups of students will be compared.