When Creating Effective Survey

• Confirm the survey length (ten questions or fewer is ideal).
• Determine how respondents will receive, complete, and return the survey; consider paper-based, telephone-based, or web-based surveys.
• Determine the acceptable level of response rate and what incentives might be offered to help reach the response rate.
• Determine the need for pre- and post-survey interviews to formulate the survey and to review its findings.
• Determine which types of questions, closed or open, are most appropriate for the survey type.
• Document the survey purpose and which stakeholders should participate.
• Refine the survey questions so they're clear, easy to answer, and don't put the participant in a defensive stance.
• Test the survey and make any modifications to the survey if necessary.
• Write the most appropriate survey questions in consideration of the participants' backgrounds, values, and interest in the survey purpose.