A survey is a questionnaire in which a group of people is asked the same questions. It is a research activity aimed at collecting data on a specific topic. If you want to make a survey, you should find out its main characteristics.
Main types of survey
A survey typically has at least one question, but it may have dozens. The nature of the study determines the length of your survey. There are three main types:
- Poll two ways. This is a short-term survey of a small portion of the population. Most of the time, the questions are short and easy to answer quickly.
- Survey over time. They are made to collect survey data over a longer time period to find out about shifts in opinion or perspective on a particular subject. Every time, the same people are interviewed.
- Retrospective polling. In this instance, there are questions in the survey about things that have happened in the past.
With regard to reviewing results, your information can be either subjective or quantitative.
- A survey using numbers. Closed-question data are used in this instance. You can respond to these questions with a brief “yes” or “no” or numerical response. Analyzing quantitative surveys and creating charts and statistics is simpler.
- Excellent survey. Open-ended questions are used in these surveys to analyze the data. Typically, participants are questioned regarding a particular topic.
How to conduct a successful survey
The tasks and relationships between participants influence how surveys are carried out. Some surveys are administered in person, while others are administered over the phone or by the respondent themselves, either digitally or on paper. Before learning how to create a survey, you need the right tools. You will need a group of people to visit participants for face-to-face interviews, sufficient printed survey forms, or a method for recording oral responses.