Toward a Classification of Chronotype Questionnaires

Chronotyping is a key methodology for assessing individual differences in human adaptation to the 24-h periodicity of geophysical and social environments. Throughout the 50-yr period of publications of chronotype questionnaires, there has been steady growth in their number and diversity. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine which questionnaires can be optimally applied to address a given research question. Consequently, this study aimed to develop a structured system for classifying and comparing chronotype questionnaires.

A search in two bibliographic databases and 8 previously published reviews yielded 75 chronotype questionnaires. The properties of these questionnaires were defined and used for their classification and comparison.

Of 75 identified questionnaires, 60 and 15 were designed for only chronotype and chronotype and something else assessment, respectively. The set of 20 questionnaire and questionnaire scale properties was proposed. These properties were used to classify the questionnaires to allow the distinction of any of the questionnaires from other questionnaires.

The proposed structured system of questionnaire classification can help in navigating between numerous published questionnaires. Using this system, an optimal instrument for a given research purpose can be chosen and properties of yet-unconstructed questionnaires and scales can be predicted.