SURVEYS: CREATING EFFECTIVE QUESTIONNAIRES

By Jessica Hahn & Rebecca Suh Data Driven Decision-Making for Schools and Organizations

WHAT IS A SURVEY?
Its a method of gathering information from a sample of individuals. Information is collected by means of standardized procedures so that every individual is asked the same questions in more or less the same way. Survey results are presented in completely anonymous summaries, such as statistical tables and charts.

HOW DO YOU PLAN A SURVEY?

First, lay out the objectives of the investigation. Next, the mode of collection must be decided upon (mail, phone, in person). Then, plan a questionnaire. Locate the members of the population that will be a random participant of the survey. Next, plan in quality by checking in to keep respondent mistakes and bias to a minimum. Finally , determine how much time should be allotted to complete the survey.

QUESTION INTENT
Use legible questions: ask questions that read well and are quick and easy to answer. Use relevant questions: Make sure that all questions asked are relevant to all respondents and the surveys purpose. Use painless questions: Questions asked in your survey should require a small amount of effort to answer.

CONSTRUCTING GOOD VS. BAD QUESTIONS

Keep

questions brief and ask one question at a time. Be objective and avoid leading questions, loaded questions, and built in assumptions. Be simple in both words and phrases. Be Specific and avoid questions that are too general, too complex or undefined.

QUESTION TYPES
Open Ended Types: Allow respondents to answer in their own words. Close Ended Types: Yes or no questions or multiple choice questions Ranked or Ordinal Questions: All the choices listed are ranked according to a level of specification (e.g. level of importance) Matrix and Rating Types: Used when surveying the frequency of something like behavior or attitude Balanced vs. Unbalanced-Rating Scales: 5 point rating scale (very poor, poor, average, good, excellent)