"How to Measure Your Communication Programs" by Angela D. Sinickas
copyright 2005 Angela D. Sinickas. All rights reserved. ISBN 0-9661757-1-9.23
Constructing Survey Form Questions
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On a survey form, ask questions primarily about those issues where you need solid, reliable numbers to validate and quantify what you heard in interviews and focus groups. These numbers then provide a baseline for comparison over time as you address problem areas and maintain the areas of strength. This chapter will help you think about what topics should be
included on your questionnaire(s) and how to construct good
questions that will give you useful, 'actionable' answers. You will
learn how to: • Determine which areas of inquiry should be on a survey form. • Develop questions that help you decide which solutions to
implement. • Ask only one question per survey item. • Use terminology that means the same to you and to respondents. • Phrase questions appropriately to the scale of responses you plan to use. • Avoid built-in assumptions in questions. • Avoid negative or convoluted phrasing. • Provide clear instructions to respondents.(End of Excerpt).
