Surveys are excellent ways to gather information on a chosen topic or area of interest. Surveys include a set of pre-determined questions, which are used to gather responses to specific questions from a selected range of people. One of the major drawbacks of surveys is that the questions included can be misinterpreted, allowing for inaccurate answers.
Before conducting surveys, the purpose should be clearly defined. Surveys should assure the confidentiality of the respondents. Direct questions, specific objectives, reasonable resources, appropriate analysis and accurate reporting of survey results are the features of a good survey. The questions used in surveys should be clear, consistent, and simple. Survey questions are commonly referred to as closed or open questions, meaning the response to the questions can be either “closed” or “open.” Closed questions have a set of response choices. Open questions give more freedom of expression to respondents, as there is room for them to craft their own answers.
Surveys can be classified depending on whether they are given to employees, customers, or suppliers. One of the most commonly used types of survey is the paper survey. Paper surveys are pre-printed paper forms on which the respondents mark their response. Another popular type of survey is the telephone survey. In this method, the respondents answer the questions over the phone rather than in writing. It usually takes only 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Web surveys or online surveys are a relatively new category in which the respondents fill in the details directly on the Web. The length of the survey is one of the most crucial factors that affect the response rate. Other factors that affect the response rate are appearance, timing, type, and collection method.
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