It would be difficult to name another research method that is used so pervasively as the survey. Surveys have been used by academic researchers, goverments, businesses, political parties, media, and anyone who wants insights into what people are thinking and doing. Surveys also take many different forms, depending on who the creator is and what their agenda is.
Surveys can provide us with useful data, but they require serious effort and thought. A poorly designed survey can yield incomplete or misleading results. In this eLearning module, we will learn about what surveys are, issues related to the design of surveys, and how to rely on the principles of good question writing. Are you ready to learn about survey design? Click on each option in the menu to start exploring!
Surveys collect information by interviewing a sample of respondents from a certain population. The survey population may comprise individuals, households, organisations, or any group of interest. In this section, we will provide an introduction to surveys through a series of topical questions.
What Is Asked in a Survey?
Surveys can be used to collect a vast amount of information. Click on each marker for examples of what can be collected through a survey.
What Are Some Popular Survey Platforms?
Here is a useful resource that summarises 12 of the most popular and easy-to-use survey software options available on the Internet. Best of all, they are all free!