Repository of Reference Questionnaires

The section gives access (weblink or document) to cross-sectional and longitudinal questionnaires from reference studies.

See also the Questionnaire Catalogue, giving an overview of the similarities and differences of the information collected by participating studies.

Specialized Questionnaires

Nutrition

Comparison Chart of Nutrition Instruments  This document compares the different approach for dietary assessment. For each approach, the table addresses the main fields of comparison, i.e. objectives, quantitative/semi-quantitative approach, time recall, strengths/weaknesses, number of items, administration mode, references and references of studies using this approach. A P3G-prepared document. (2009)

Physical Activity

Comparison Chart of Physical Activity Instruments   This document compares selected referenced physical activity instruments, developed to enable comparisons across culturally diverse populations. For each instruments, the table addresses the main fields of comparison, i.e. authors, objectives, domains covered, population targeted, time recall, number of items, administration mode, available translations, copyright, condition of use and references. A P3G-prepared document. (2008)

GPAQ
The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire was developed by WHO for physical activity surveillance in countries. It collects information on physical activity participation in three settings (or domains) as well as sedentary behaviour, comprising 16 questions. The domains are: 1) Activity at work; 2) Travel to and from places and 3) Recreational activities. The World Health Organization.

IPAQ
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire, assesses physical activity undertaken across a comprehensive set of domains including: 1) leisure time physical activity; 2) domestic and gardening (yard) activities; 3) work-related physical activity and 4) transport-related physical activity. International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Group.

Quality of life (QoL)

Comparison Chart of Health-Related Quality of Life (QoL) Instruments  This document compares selected referenced Health-related Quality of Life instruments. For each instrument, the table addresses the main fields of comparison, i.e. authors, objectives, domains covered, population targeted, time recall, number of items, administration mode, available translations, copyright, condition of use and references. A P3G-prepared document. (2008)

EQ-5D (EuroQol)
EQ-5D is a standardised instrument for use as a measure of health outcome. Applicable to a wide range of health conditions and treatments, it provides a simple descriptive profile and a single index value for health status. EQ-5D was originally designed to complement other instruments but is now increasingly used as a 'stand alone' measure. The EuroQol Group.

SF Questionnaires
All of the SF surveys measure the same eight domains of health: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health (role-physical), bodily pain, general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems (role-emotional), and mental health. Because more items permit better representation of each health domain, the domains are best represented in the SF-36 (both versions), followed by the SF-12 (both versions), and the SF-8. The improved question wording and simplified response categories in the SF-12v2 and SF-36v2 surveys make the revised versions easier to understand and administer and less culturally biased than the original versions. C. D. Sherbourne and J. E. Ware.

WHO-Five Well-being Index
The WHO-Five Well-being Index was derived from a larger rating scale developed for a WHO project on quality of life in patients suffering from diabetes (WHO 1990). During the first psychometric evaluation, 10 of the original 28 items were selected due to the homogeneity they had shown across the various European countries participating in this study (Bech et al 1996).

WHOQOL
The World Health Organization Quality of Life project was initiated in 1991. The aim was to develop an international cross-culturally comparable quality of life assessment instrument. It assesses the individual's perceptions in the context of their culture and value systems, and their personal goals, standards and concerns. The WHOQOL instruments were developed collaboratively in a number of centres worldwide, and have been widely field-tested. The WHOQOL-BREF instrument comprises 26 items, which measure the following broad domains: physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) group.

Social Support

Comparison Chart of Social Support Instruments  This document compares selected referenced Social Support instruments. For each instruments, the table addresses the main fields of comparison, i.e. authors, objectives, domains covered, population targeted, time recall, number of items, administration mode, available translations, copyright, condition of use and references. A P3G-prepared document. (2009)

Selected Studies Providing Access to their Questionnaires

Birth cohort studies

Avon longitudinal study of parents and children (ALSPAC)
ALSPAC aims to understand the ways in which the physical and social environments interact, over time, with the genetic inheritance to affect the child's health, behaviour and development. Supported both financially and scientifically by the University of Bristol. [United Kingdom]

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)
MoBa aims to find causes of serious diseases among mothers and children. Anchored at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, including the Medical Birth Registry. [Norway]

General cohort studies

1998 Health and Social Survey (HSS)
The HSS study provide information that can be used to evaluate and monitor the Policy on Health and Wellness and the National Priorities in Public Health set by the Quebec government, monitor trends and indicators of previous surveys, and ensure the representativeness of regional data and their comparability with province-wide data.

Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC)
This is the website of the American ARIC study. It displays biochemical procedures such as Blood Collection and Processing, Lipid and Lipoprotein Determinations, Hemostasis Determination and Clinical Chemistry Determinations that were used during the recruitment and the follow up. A Collaborative Studies Coordinating Center-maintained website, based at the University of North Carolina.

Canadian Study on Health and Aging (CSHA)
CSHA aims to investigate the incidence and risk factors for dementia, and the impact of dementia on family caregivers. Funded by Pfizer Canada and the National Health Resarch Development Program. [Canada]

Cohort of Norway (CONOR)
CONOR is a collection of health data and blood samples from several Norwegian health surveys and aims to study the etiology prevalence and incidence of a large number of diseases. A collaboration between the National Health Screening Service, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the four universities in Norway. [Norway]

European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition project (EPIC)
EPIC aims to investigate the role of diet, lifestyle, metabolic factors, environment and genetic predisposition to the etiology of cancer and other chronic diseases. Coordinated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (WHO), and funded by the Europe Against Cancer Program. [Europe]

National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
NHANES includes a series of cross-sectional surveys designed to provide national statistics on the health and nutritional status of the general household population. Conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control. [USA]

Nurses' Health Study (NHS)
NHS is a large prospective investigation of the risk factors for major chronic diseases in women. They provide their questionnaires, protected by copyright. In general, use of the questions for scientific research is allowed. However, permission must be requested, in part to assure appropriate citation or acknowledgement. [USA]

Other Resources

Questionnaire Modules
Questionnaire Modules is a collection of research questionnaires intended to serve only as models and be adapted by researchers to suit their particular needs. This tool is provided by the National Cancer Institute's Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.