Surveys and questionnaires
This set of resources has been created to support your thinking around key considerations when developing survey questions. As with all research, careful planning is essential. Piloting surveys with individuals (ideally from your target population of participants) can be an effective way to ensure that the instrument is working as intended, the wording of questions is sufficiently clear and unambiguous, and the tool is measuring what you aim to measure.
The videos below introduce key aspects of survey use in educational research, including their purpose, application, different question types, examples of good design practice, and common pitfalls to avoid.
VPW
What are surveys and why do we use surveys
What are surveys and why do we use surveys? (2’ 04”)
This video introduces the purposes of using surveys in educational research, which will help you think about whether this method is appropriate for your project.
What are surveys and why do we use surveys
This video discusses the purposes of using surveys in educational research.
What are surveys and why do we use surveys? (2’ 04”)
This video introduces the purposes of using surveys in educational research, which will help you think about whether this method is appropriate for your project.
How can surveys be used in educational research?
This video explores different uses of surveys in educational research projects.
How can surveys be used in educational research? (2’ 07”)
This video explores different uses of surveys in educational research projects and provides an overview of different research designs. For example, it considers surveys as a standalone method or using it in conjunction with other methods. It also outlines different formats for administering surveys (i.e. online or face-to-face).
Types of survey questions
A video focusing on specific types of survey questions and types of data produced.
Types of survey questions (4’ 51”)
This video focuses on specific types of survey questions and the kinds of data each question type can provide you with. It will support you to think about key factors when developing survey instruments
Good practice for survey design in educational research
Outlining the structure of an effective survey and important factors to consider when designing.
Good practice for survey design in educational research (4’ 02”)
This resource outlines the overall structure of an effective survey and important factors to consider when designing the instrument. It covers features including question grouping and effective question design (e.g. use of branching and filtering logic), the use of guidance notes, and the potential impact of visual aspects such as layout, font and spacing.
Poor practice for survey design in educational research
A video discussing less effective survey designs and implications.
Poor practice for survey design in educational research (4’ 17”)
This video discusses less effective survey design and the implications of poor or ill-considered choices. Using specific examples, it guides you through the thought processes behind different design features.
Surveys: A Quick Guide
This designing surveys for educational research infographic provides an accessible overview of key considerations when designing surveys for educational research. It highlights important structural elements, outlines different question types, and advises on some important do’s and don’ts.
Additional resources:
Best practice in questionnaire design