(Online Several online survey programs can be May be inappropriate for people who cont.) downloaded free of charge experience difficulties with English literacy or Online survey programs collate findings and numeracy do basic analysis of quantitative data Responses can be kept anonymous Telephone More direct approach resulting in good Time consuming to administer response rate Can be expensive if aiming for large sample High survey completion/question response (administration and telephone costs) rate Not anonymous (though can still be Capacity to clarify questions with respondents to ensure proper understanding Skills required for survey administrator e.g. to avoid bias Most direct, personal approach resulting in Time consuming to administer good response rate Can be expensive if aiming for large sample Often administered at the time an event or (administration costs) activity is occurring which increases Not anonymous (though can still be response rate and captures feedback while it is fresh Skills required for survey administrator e.g. to High survey completion/question response avoid bias rate Capacity to clarify questions with respondents to ensure proper understanding Guiding principles for survey development When developing surveys it can help to keep the following in mind as some guiding principles: Think about who your respondents are and what the most appropriate approach is for them Keep in mind the outcomes you are investigating in your evaluation and think about how your survey contributes to these Think about what you really need to know and only collect information for that purpose (e.g. what information do you need from a survey that you don’t or can’t collect in another way?) Avoid collecting data you will not use this is respectful of respondents’ time and also helps keep your – task manageable Keep your survey as short and simple as possible, while still making sure you gather the information you need Think about the type of analysis you want to conduct and ensure your survey is geared towards that for example, open ended information is more time-consuming to analyse; closed questions – are useful in providing a snapshot but the information may not be as rich Think about the potential answers you will get from the questions you are posing will these help – you answer your evaluation questions? Be clear and simple and do not assume respondents have the same knowledge or understanding of the subject matter as you do
(Online cont.) Several online survey programs can be downloaded free of charge Online survey programs collate findings and do basic analysis of quantitative data Responses can be kept anonymous May be inappropriate for people who experience difficulties with English literacy or numeracy Telephone More direct approach resulting in good response rate High survey completion/question response rate Capacity to clarify questions with respondents to ensure proper understanding Time consuming to administer Can be expensive if aiming for large sample (administration and telephone costs) Not anonymous (though can still be Skills required for survey administrator e.g. to avoid bias Most direct, personal approach resulting in good response rate Often administered at the time an event or activity is occurring which increases response rate and captures feedback while it is fresh High survey completion/question response rate Capacity to clarify questions with respondents to ensure proper understanding Time consuming to administer Can be expensive if aiming for large sample (administration costs) Not anonymous (though can still be Skills required for survey administrator e.g. to avoid bias Guiding principles for survey development When developing surveys it can help to keep the following in mind as some guiding principles: Think about who your respondents are and what the most appropriate approach is for them Keep in mind the outcomes you are investigating in your evaluation and think about how your survey contributes to these Think about what you really need to know and only collect information for that purpose (e.g. what information do you need from a survey that you don’t or can’t collect in another way?) Avoid collecting data you will not use – this is respectful of respondents’ time and also helps keep your task manageable Keep your survey as short and simple as possible, while still making sure you gather the information you need Think about the type of analysis you want to conduct and ensure your survey is geared towards that – for example, open ended information is more time-consuming to analyse; closed questions are useful in providing a snapshot but the information may not be as rich Think about the potential answers you will get from the questions you are posing – will these help you answer your evaluation questions? Be clear and simple and do not assume respondents have the same knowledge or understanding of the subject matter as you do
Developing-and-implementing-surveys-fact-sheet.DOCX