Tips on How To Write A Good Survey/Questionnaire

* Many of these also apply to questions in interviews.*

Words are often used in different ways by different people; your goal is to write questions that each person will
interpret in the same way. Only through careful writing, editing, review, and rewriting can you make a good
questionnaire.
1) Write a short questionnaire
Distinguish between what is essential to know, what would be useful to know and what
would be unnecessary. Retain the former, keep the useful to a minimum and discard the rest.
2) Use simple words
Survey recipients may have a variety of backgrounds so use simple language.
What is the frequency of your automotive travel to your
parents'residents in the last 30 days?
How many times in the last 30 days have you driven to your parent's
home?
3) Assure a common understanding
Write questions that everyone will understand in the same way. Don't assume everyone has a common basis
of knowledge. E.g. explain abbreviations to ensure understanding.
4) Start with easy, interesting questions
Save the questions that might be difficult for later.
5) Specific questions are better than general ones
General: List the software packages you have used.
Specific: Which of these software packages have you used?
Visual Basic

Word

Excel

Powerpoint

6) Closed questions are usually preferable to open questions

Closed Qs help to avoid differences in interpretation.
Open Qs are more difficult to analyse. But sometimes there are good reasons for using open qs, e.g. when
seeking comments on sensitive views or behaviour.
Open Q: People look for different things in a job; what sort of things are important
to you in your job?
Closed Q: People look for different things in a job; which one of the following
five things is most important to you in your job?

good pay
a feeling of achievement an
ability to make your own decisions
good people to work with
job security

7) Don't write leading questions

Leading questions demand a specific response.
Do you agree that most men are better suited emotionally for politics?
8) Avoid double negatives
Respondents can be confused.
Which of the following factors is not unlikely to lead to pollution?
9) Balance rating scales
When the question requires respondents to use a rating scale, mediate the scale so
that there is room for both extremes.
How strongly you feel about this?
Extremely
Strongly
Very strongly
Somewhat strongly
Not at all strongly
10) Don't make the list of choices too long
It is difficult for respondents to evaluate a long list. Keep the list of choices short.

11) Avoid difficult recall questions

How many times last year did you go out and see a movie in a movie
theater?
How many times in the last month have you seen a movie in a movie
theater?
12) Put questions in a logical order
The issues raised in one question can influence how people think about subsequent
questions. Ask a general question and then ask more specific questions.
13) Cover memo or introduction
Make it short and introduce the survey, explaining its purpose and importance, assure confidentiality and
encourage reply.
14) Add a concluding note
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Include relevant info and dont forget to thank respondents.

15) Appearance and instructions are vital

Make it look easy to fill in, with plenty of space for answers and questions.
Keep the design simple and give clear instructions. E.g. Ticking boxes is less confusing than circling
answers.
16) Make return easy
17) REMEMBER TO TEST THE QUESTIONNAIRE FIRST
Test out onto a small number of people. After they have completed the survey,
Discuss any problems answering any questions and then rewrite the questions.

Sample: Questionnaire for Students

This questionnaire seeks your feedback on the delivery of reading lessons via the
Toolbook programme.
The objectives of this questionnaire are:
1. to gain your feedback in order to examine the effectiveness of the
programme in developing your reading skills.
2. to seek your impressions concerning the design of the programme.
Your responses will be kept confidential and used only in aggregated form. Your
cooperation is very much appreciated.

SECTIONA: General Information

Please write your responses or tick the appropriate boxes.
1. Are you a
Male?

Female?

2. How do you rate your English profiency?

Excellent
Good
Average

Below average

3a) Please state your results for the Malaysian University English Test (MUET).
Band _______
Score for Reading component _________
b) If you have not sat for MUET, please state your results for
SPM English _________
GCE O-level English _________
IELTS __________
TOEFL ________
4a) Have you ever used a computer to learn English inside the classroom?
Yes
No
b) If yes, can you give an example?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
c) If no, please state your reason(s).
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
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SECTION B: The Toolbook Programme

Please tick the appropriate boxes.
Strongly
agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

1. The programme is easy to use.

2. I understand the commands and

navigation options.

3. I always know how to use the

programme even after a period of
inactivity.

4. I can always find my way moving

through the programme.

5. I like the way the lesson pages are

arranged.

SECTION C: Overall Impression

Please write your responses.
1. What do you like most about the programme?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

2. What do you like least about the programme?

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

3. How can the programme be improved?

__________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Any other comments?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

Thank you very much for your time and cooperation.