AP Stat Soup Survey Project: Writing Surveys

Here's the information presented on 12/7 regarding survey writing basics.

Survey Basics

• Decide what information you want to gather from the survey.
• Ask only those questions that will provide the information you need.
• Keep the survey as short as possible
• Use multiple-choice questions whenever possible.
• Avoid leading and biased questions.
• Use the same rating scale throughout your survey.
• Test the survey before you roll it out.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/how_16596_write-survey-questionnaire.html

Survey Writing Specifics
Directions to Respondents
   1. Include a brief explanation of the purpose of the questionnaire.
   2. Include clear explanation of how to complete the questionnaire.

Content of Questions
   1. Will the respondent be able to answer your question, i.e., do they know the answer?
   2. Will respondents want to answer the question, i.e., is it too private or silly?

Wording of Questions
   1. Will the respondent understand the wording?
   2. Are any words so strong that they might influence the respondent's answer?
   3. Are you asking more than one question at a time by using "and" in your question?
   4. Do multiple choice question choices mutually exclusive and encompass the total range of answers?

Order of Questions
   1. Be careful not to include so many questions that potential respondents are dissuaded from responding.
   2. Attempt to get recruit respondents' motivation to complete the questionnaire. Start with fact-based questions and then go on to opinion-based questions.
   3. Attempt to get respondents' commentary in addition to their ratings.
   4. Put a date on the form so you can keep track of all future versions.

Source: http://www.managementhelp.org/evaluatn/questnrs.htm

Scales in Surveys

• When using scales, create a balance between positive and negative options.
• An even number of choices forces the respondent to decide whether they lean to the positive or negative.
• An odd number of choices allows the respondent to select a neutral response.

Example: How does the flavor of this soup compare to the brand you usually eat? The flavor is

1) Much Worse  2) Worse  3) Slightly Worse  4) Slightly Better  5) Better  6) Much Better
(This example shows the use of a six point scale that forces the respondent to make a decision as to whether or not the soup tastes better or worse.)

1) Much Worse  2) Worse  3) About the Same  4) Better  5) Much Better
(This example shows the use of a five point scale that allows the respondent to be neutral as to the taste.)

Additional information and resources can be found at:
http://4h.uwex.edu/evaluation/documents/Wordingforratingscales.pdf or
http://www.gifted.uconn.edu/siegle/research/Instrument%20Reliability%20and%20Validity/Likert.html