subject: Sample Surveys- Types of Surveys [print this page] Sample Surveys- Types of Surveys Sample Surveys- Types of Surveys
Surveys are one of the most common methods of social research as these are not only convenient but give immediate information. They are useful in data collection, evaluation and research. Surveys can be broadly classified intoopen-ended surveys (interviews)andclosed-ended surveys (questionnaires).
The kind of survey you choose depends on what your aim is. Once you have selected the type of survey you want to use for your needs, the next most important aspect would be how to go about formulating it. Your job can get easier if you usesurvey formats andsurvey templates.
Before you set out on formatting a survey, you must decide on your objectives and goals. What is the purpose of the survey? What do you want to know through the survey? What are you looking for? If you have clear-cut answers for these, then the task of formulating questions becomes easier.
All the questions must be aimed at achieving this goal. If you have chosen a questionnaire type of survey, then the questions can have fixed answers, where the reader ticks only one appropriate option. The answers must include all the possible alternatives to give you accurate feedback.Online surveysandmarket surveysgenerally follow this pattern.
Make sure that the questions do not overlap. This can cause confusion and the data available at the end of the survey may not be really useful. For instance, if you are doing asalary survey, you can either stick to a salary bracket kind of question or ask about the gross salary. Asking both may not really serve any purpose.
