The questionnaires were prepared specifically for donors, consolidators and recipients. Definitions were placed at the beginning of each questionnaire to help organizations to identify themselves as a donor or a consolidator. The opinions of recipients were actively solicited, and donors and consolidators were encouraged to send copies of the questionnaire to their recipient partners, and to request their opinions.

The questions were divided into "closed questions" with a yes/no response and "open-ended questions" which allowed respondents freedom and space to formulate their replies and comments. The sequence followed as much as possible that of the Guidelines themselves and the overriding intention was to allow respondents sufficient space to express their opinions on any aspect of the Guidelines.

Copies of the draft questionnaires were first sent to 12 representative organizations, with a request for their comments and observations. Four were interagency co-sponsors of the Guidelines. The questionnaires were modified in the light of comments. French versions of the three questionnaires were also produced and distributed.