This guide assists with the survey creation process. It is not designed to make you an expert in survey content, but to provide tips for best practices in data collection. Designing an effective survey involves several key practices to ensure reliable, valid, and actionable data.

Best Practices for Survey Design

  • Define the purpose. Before crafting questions, clearly define what you want to achieve (e.g., assess satisfaction with the Call Center). Ask questions like: What is going well? What needs improvement? What suggestions do you have? Whom would you like to recognize?
  • Ensure each question adds value. Each question should relate directly to your goals; omit demographics that don't contribute.
  • Keep it brief. Make questions clear and concise, in a logical order, aiming for 10–15 minutes.
  • Ask one question at a time. Avoid combining multiple inquiries into one question.
  • Avoid leading or biased questions. Focus on the respondent's opinions, not your own.
  • Use simple language. Use simple sentences and straightforward answer choices.
  • Ease respondents in. Start with easy questions; place sensitive questions in the middle.
  • Consider incentives. Offer incentives valuable to your target population to boost responses.
  • Pre-test your survey. Share it with at least two people to identify and fix issues before full distribution.

Suggested Survey Question Types

  • Single select (closed-ended): one answer to choose from (e.g., Are you currently enrolled? Yes/No).
  • Drop down: for an extensive list, such as state of residency.
  • Likert scale: responses across a spectrum to gauge satisfaction (e.g., 5 = strongly agree to 1 = strongly disagree).
  • Multi-select: a question with a list where more than one answer may apply; always include "other."
  • Text box (open-ended): for respondent feedback; the space allotted should indicate the expected response length.

Improving Survey Accessibility

  • Page titles: give each page a clear title; add "continued" for multi-page content.
  • Image descriptions: provide brief descriptions; for Baseline surveys, images must have public links.
  • Hyperlinked text: use descriptive link text and set links to open in a new window.
  • Question types: prefer single-select; matrix and dual-matrix types may challenge accessibility software.
  • Question numbers & progress bar: keep both visible to give respondents context about their progress.