The Right Way to Write: Tips for Crafting Effective Survey Questions
- Market Research Tips
- 3 Minute Read
At Op4G, we believe a well-written survey with clearly defined objectives is the cornerstone of sound research, enabling you to collect all the necessary information to achieve your client’s objectives.So be sure to follow these tips for writing effective survey questions:
1.) Be as Clear as Possible
2.) Minimize Bias
Do you want the respondent to provide your desired answer or their true answer? If the latter, take some time to identify and mitigate bias in your survey questions. Bias can arise in many ways. Explaining the goal of a survey (also known as framing) can lead respondents to answer questions in a way that meets those goals, rather than giving their genuine responses. Presenting certain information before a question (also known as anchoring) can create an artificial—and influential—reference point for respondents. Moreover, using emotional, sensitive, politically charged, or absolute wording can intensify respondents’ answers…if they answer at all. To avoid these pitfalls, keep your language neutral and omit extraneous information.
3.) Ask One Question at a Time
4.) Don't Neglect the Answer Options
After you’ve perfected your questions, turn your attention to the possible answers—which are just as important! Ensure that the answer options reflect all reasonable possibilities, including “neither agree nor disagree”, “don’t know,” “not applicable”, “other”, or “prefer not to answer”. Next, check that the answer options don’t overlap—a common blunder when options are numerical (like 0 – 10, 10 – 20, 20 – 30). Finally, consider options that allow for more nuance than just “yes/no”. Two strong alternatives are multiple-choice (with no more than 7 options) or Likert scales (with an equal number of positive and negative responses).
In conclusion, the power of a well-constructed survey cannot be overstated. Following the tips outlined in this blog, you can ensure that your surveys are clear, unbiased, focused on one question at a time, and equipped with thoughtful answer options. This meticulous approach not only enhances the quality and value of your survey results but also safeguards against common pitfalls that can compromise the integrity of your data. And remember, don’t underestimate the importance of beta-testing your survey with your target audience, as their feedback can be invaluable in refining your questions and answer options. So, put these tips into practice and watch your surveys become powerful tools for gathering the insights you need.
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