How to Ask Survey Questions edit

Here is a comprehensive guide on how to ask effective survey questions:

Why Good Survey Questions Matter edit

Well-designed survey questions are crucial for collecting accurate, useful data. Poorly worded or biased questions can lead to unreliable results and flawed insights. Taking the time to craft clear, focused questions will yield higher quality responses and more actionable data.

Key Principles for Writing Good Survey Questions edit

1. Be Clear and Specific edit

- Use simple, straightforward language - Avoid jargon, acronyms, and complex words - Ask about one thing at a time (avoid double-barreled questions) - Be specific rather than general

Example: Poor: "How would you rate our service?" Better: "How would you rate the customer service you received on your most recent purchase?"

2. Use Neutral, Unbiased Language edit

- Avoid leading or loaded questions that push respondents toward a particular answer - Present balanced response options - Don't make assumptions in your questions

Example: Poor: "Don't you agree that our product is the best on the market?" Better: "How would you rate our product compared to competitors?"

3. Match Question Type to Information Needed edit

- Use closed-ended questions (multiple choice, rating scales, etc.) for quantitative data - Use open-ended questions for qualitative insights and explanations - Consider the level of detail required when choosing question formats

4. Provide Clear Instructions edit

- Specify if multiple responses are allowed for multiple choice questions - Explain rating scales clearly - Give examples if needed to clarify what you're asking

5. Use Consistent Scales and Response Options edit

- Keep rating scales consistent throughout the survey (e.g. always 1-5 or always 1-7) - Present response options in a logical order - Ensure response options are mutually exclusive and exhaustive

6. Consider Question Order and Flow edit

- Start with easier, less sensitive questions - Group related questions together - Use skip logic to avoid irrelevant questions

7. Avoid Asking About Multiple Things at Once edit

- Break complex topics into multiple focused questions - Ask about frequency, satisfaction, importance etc. separately

Example: Poor: "How satisfied are you with our product quality and customer service?" Better: "How satisfied are you with our product quality?"

        "How satisfied are you with our customer service?"

8. Include "Don't Know" or "Not Applicable" Options When Relevant edit

- Allow respondents to opt out if they truly can't answer - This prevents forced or inaccurate responses

9. Pre-test Your Questions edit

- Pilot test with a small group to identify confusing or problematic questions - Revise based on feedback before launching the full survey

Types of Survey Questions edit

Closed-Ended Questions edit

1. Multiple Choice

  - Single answer or "select all that apply"
  - Good for categorizing respondents

2. Rating Scales (e.g. Likert scales)

  - Measure attitudes, opinions, frequencies
  - Usually 5 or 7 point scales

3. Ranking

  - Have respondents order items by preference or importance

4. Yes/No or True/False

  - Quick and simple for factual information

Open-Ended Questions edit

- Allow for detailed, qualitative responses - Useful for gathering explanations, suggestions, and unanticipated insights - Can be more difficult to analyze quantitatively

Examples of Good Survey Questions edit

1. Customer Satisfaction:

  "On a scale of 0-10, how likely are you to recommend our product to a friend or colleague?"

2. Product Feedback:

  "What feature of our product do you find most useful? Why?"

3. Demographics:

  "Which of the following best describes your age range?
  [ ] 18-24  [ ] 25-34  [ ] 35-44  [ ] 45-54  [ ] 55+"

4. User Experience:

  "How easy was it to complete your purchase on our website?
  Very Difficult  1  2  3  4  5  Very Easy"

5. Open-ended Feedback:

  "What is one thing we could do to improve your experience with our company?"

Common Mistakes to Avoid edit

1. Using vague or ambiguous language 2. Asking leading questions that bias responses 3. Including double-barreled questions that ask about multiple things 4. Using absolutes like "always" or "never" 5. Failing to provide all relevant response options 6. Making surveys too long, leading to respondent fatigue

By following these guidelines and best practices, you can create survey questions that elicit accurate, useful information from your respondents. Remember to always keep your research objectives in mind and design questions that will provide the specific insights you need.