The use of questionnaires in colour research in real-life settings

Abstract

This research discusses the validity of applying questionnaires in colour research in real life settings.
In the literature the conclusions concerning the influences of colours on human performance and well-being are often conflicting. This can be caused by the artificial setting of the test process. Applying questionnaires could also be a cause. To avoid the disadvantages of an artificial setting, a colour research process was organized in a real life setting. In order to get a better understanding of the validity and possible pitfalls in using questionnaires, the responses to the questionnaires were analysed. During colour research looking for the colour influences on perceived productivity, social cohesion and well-being during meetings, responses to questionnaires were compared with findings from observations of behaviour and additional interviews with the respondents. Discrepancies were found indicating weaknesses of applying questionnaires in colour research. The findings suggest that questionnaires alone are not a fully appropriate tool to establish the colour influences. Triangulation by observations, additional interviews and sampling techniques can improve the validity of measuring the influence of different colours.