Encouragement of participation by each person will make participants feel as if they were given the opportunity to speak. This is a way to collect information to multiple choice questions. Remember to provide incentives for return, deadlines, and careful wording of questions. An important step is piloting the instrument with other community groups, or like groups in neighboring counties, to assure clarity and to avoid offensive questions. This is a good way to collect information while involving volunteers.
Providers interviewing providers works extremely well.
Begin with multiple choice questions and include some open-ended questions to allow the respondents to give valuable information to be used for planning and recruitment. Be sure to plan the questionnaire effectively and train the phone surveyors in listening skills and in appropriate responses. Small samples as well as large are helpful. For instance, survey those providers who were unable to complete a training course, providers who have recently ceased caring for children, parents who have used a referral system and their satisfaction, and parents who may need the services of before and after school care. You may wish to note area of community where they live, number of children, current care, difficulties, etc.