Developing a questionnaire to assess the usefulness of financial disclosure in an emerging market: a case study from Egypt. [Case study]

This case study reflects on the methodological and ethical considerations involved in using a questionnaire to explore the perceived usefulness of financial disclosure among financial analysts in the Egyptian capital market. The research initially adopted a structured, mail-based questionnaire design informed by empirical literature. Rather than using a sampling technique, the study aimed to reach the full population of 200 identified analysts to get an adequate number of responses. However, I only received eight responses by post due to outdated contact information, limited postal infrastructure, and the political sensitivity surrounding corporate transparency, so the study required significant adaptation. Hence, the questionnaire was administered in person as a structured interview where fifteen more responses were collected. The case outlines key stages in questionnaire development— including item construction, translation, piloting, and ethical reflection—and discusses how ethical concerns were navigated in the absence of a formal review process. Drawing from this experience, the case highlights the importance of flexibility, risk assessment, contingency planning, and contextual sensitivity when conducting field-based research in emerging markets. It offers practical advice to future researchers who may face similar constraints and decisions.