Writing and creating online surveys is a task that requires solid theoretical support, since the way in which we write them will determine the quality of the responses and condition the results of the analysis we carry out later.
The objective of this article is to present some recommendations to help in the structuring and writing of the key element in any type of online survey : the question.
10 tips for formulating the right questions for an online survey
1.- Plan and diagram the survey
It is advisable to place at the beginning those questions that require more reflection on the part of the respondent and towards the end those that address complex issues such as sexuality, income, sociocultural level, etc. At the end, we can place the fields linked to the aspects of demographic segmentation that are the easiest to answer.
2. – Length of the questionnaire
The length of the online questionnaire should not be excessive. Ideally, it should not exceed norway phone number ten questions. Also, keep in mind that the use of examples, sophisticated wording, the need to make it clear what topic we are asking about because the survey addresses multiple aspects, all these factors make the reading of an online survey longer or shorter.
3. – Extension of the question
As a rule, the ideal length is considered to be around 10 words or 60 characters. To achieve this, we must avoid using complex words or idiomatic constructions that cause ambiguity or make it difficult to understand the meaning of the question, such as the double negative. It is always preferable to avoid using examples and unnecessary contextualization. It is better to get straight to the point and present the question you want to ask.
4. – Concrete answers
The answer to a question must be concrete. If options are provided, these must reflect all the alternatives that represent valuable information for us. For the rest of the possibilities we can use open categories such as “other”, “none of the above”, or intervals such as “from 100 to 200 / from 200 to 300” since it is important that the respondent finds the option that best reflects his or her situation.
5. – Avoid influencing with the wording of the question
We should avoid using adjectives or adverbs in the wording of the question, whether they are positive or negative. This type of wording always produces some kind of influence on the response received. You could reduce the impact of subjectivity by alternating positive and negative questions.
6.- Avoid confusion with the wording of the question
We should avoid including two concepts in the same question, otherwise it will be difficult for respondents to respond clearly, and for us to interpret the response.
7. – Congruent writing
Writing correctly, both orthographically and grammatically, is the basis for the credibility of an online survey . The wording must be consistent with the response options, respecting person, verb tense and gender.
One should not make mistakes regarding the meaning of words and use them as synonyms when they are not. Nor should one fall into extreme technicality if that contradicts the usual use given to a particular term.