{"id":10117,"date":"2015-07-16T18:47:35","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T23:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/write-an-effective-survey-question\/"},"modified":"2015-07-16T18:47:35","modified_gmt":"2015-07-16T23:47:35","slug":"write-an-effective-survey-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/write-an-effective-survey-question\/","title":{"rendered":"Write an Effective Survey Question"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span>We live in a world that is hungry for information. Businesses want to know the perspectives of their customers, employees, and suppliers. Line managers know that good data can be the difference between success and extinction.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Trainers have a similar challenge. To conduct a needs analysis or evaluate a training program, a trainer must ask good questions. Ask the wrong questions and the training might teach the wrong skills or solve the wrong problem. Good questions give you the information necessary for success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Writing questions is only one part of creating a data collection approach. Effective survey design requires clear directions, thoughtful sequencing of questions, effective visual display on the page, and appropriate rating scales. But you only \u201cget what you ask for.\u201d Strong questions are the foundation of any survey, and that\u2019s our focus here.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span>TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span>You first need to know why you are collecting data. If you know what you want, you will get good, actionable information. Although there are many types of questions when it comes to data collection, the most common is a statement followed by a rating scale\u2014for example, from \u201cstrongly agree\u201d to \u201cstrongly disagree.\u201d Here are a few fundamental principles that will help you to write the \u201cstem,\u201d which is the statement the survey respondent is asked to rate:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span><strong>Be sure the statement applies to the respondents <\/strong>and that it\u2019s likely they will have the information \u2014otherwise, they will make up a response or skip the question. For example, the statement, \u201cSenior management was involved in creating this training,\u201d would be a poor survey item. It\u2019s better to provide more specificity: \u201cMy manager has discussed how this training applies to my job.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><span><strong>Make sure the questions you create provide information that\u2019s necessary <\/strong>and not just \u201cnice to know,\u201d despite well-meaning stakeholders who might want to add irrelevant items.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><span><span><strong>Keep it simple.<\/strong> Use simple sentence structure and language that will be easily understood. Respondents can\u2019t give an accurate answer if they don\u2019t understand the question.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"rteindent1\"><span><strong>a.<\/strong> <em>Create short questions that contain one idea. <\/em>Don\u2019t use \u201cdouble-barreled\u201d questions; eliminate the use of the words, \u201cor\u201d and \u201cand.\u201d For example, \u201cMy manager gives me accurate performance feedback and ensures my compensation is fair,\u201d contains two different concepts. Instead, ask each question separately. \u201cMy manager gives me accurate performance feedback.\u201d \u201cMy manager ensures that I am fairly compensated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"rteindent1\"><span><strong>b.<\/strong><em> Be brief and concise. <\/em>Here\u2019s a complex question: \u201cWhat is the frequency of interaction between the training staff, the internal client groups, the learning management system (LMS), and external client groups?\u201d A better question might be: \u201cWhat is the frequency of communication with other key internal stakeholders?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"rteindent1\"><span><span><strong>c<\/strong><\/span><strong>.<\/strong><span><strong> <\/strong><em>Minimize jargon and acronyms.<\/em> Respondents can\u2019t give an accurate answer if they don\u2019t understand the words.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"rteindent1\"><span><strong>d. <\/strong><em>Avoid the use of double negatives. <\/em>\u201cI am not unfamiliar with how to write a developmental plan\u201d becomes much easier to understand when rewritten as \u201cI am familiar with how to write a developmental plan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span><strong>Pay attention to social desirability. <\/strong>Most people want to give a \u201csocially acceptable\u201d answer. Avoid leading questions that contain emotionally loaded words (e.g., \u201cbroken,\u201d \u201chorrible,\u201d \u201cexpensive\u201d) or words that are derogatory. For example, contrast \u201cThe members of my work group belittle and make fun of each other\u201d with \u201cThe members of my work group show respect by listening to each other\u2019s ideas.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span>Famous quality guru W. Edwards Deming once said, \u201cIn God we trust; all others must bring data.\u201d Asking well-constructed questions will provide the data you need to ensure training success.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span>Ross Tartell, Ph.D., is currently adjunct associate professor of Psychology and Education at Columbia University. Dr. Tartell also consults in the areas of learning and development, talent planning, and organization development. He received his M.B.A. in Management and his Ph.D. in Social Psychology from Columbia University. He formerly served as Technical Training and Communications Manager \u2013 North America at GE Capital Real Estate.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To conduct a needs analysis or evaluate a training program, a trainer must formulate good questions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":122,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[30],"class_list":{"0":"post-10117","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-magazine","7":"tag-how-to","8":"magazine_issues-july-2015"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.2 (Yoast SEO v25.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Write an Effective Survey Question<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, 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