How to Write Effective Survey Questions
- Create Closed-Ended Questions: Give respondents specific response options (e.g., Yes/No, Multiple Choice). Example: Do you use social media every day? (Yes/No)
- Create Open-Ended Questions: Give respondents the chance to express their thoughts in their own words. Example: How does social media impact your everyday life?
- Create Likert-Style Questions: Ask respondents to rate their level of agreement or disagreement with a statement on a scale, usually ranging from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” Example: On a scale of 1-5, where 1 is “strongly disagree” and 5 is “strongly agree,” rate the following statement: I feel confident speaking in front of a large audience. (Include options on slide: 1 = Strongly disagree, 2 = Somewhat disagree, 3 = Neutral, 4 = Somewhat agree, 5 = Strongly agree)
- Use Demographic Questions: What is your major or field of study? What is your age range? (a) 18-24, (b) 25-34, (c) 35-44, (d) 45+
- Use Interest Questions: How frequently do you consume energy drinks? (a) Never, (b) Rarely, (c) Sometimes, (d) Often, (e) Every day. Please list some of the energy drinks you consume weekly.
- Use a Mix of Question Types: Combine multiple-choice, rating scales, and open-ended questions to gain a comprehensive insight into your audience.
- Use Knowledge and Experience Questions: How have energy drinks affected your health?
- Use Neutral Questions: Avoid using leading questions that may suggest an answer for your respondents. Example: Instead of “Do you think tutoring services are important for college students?” ask, “Please share your opinion about tutoring services at our college.”
- Use Trivia Questions: Evaluate how much the audience knows by having them share their vote about a topic. Example: How much more likely is a Black woman to die during childbirth than a White woman? (a) The same, (b) Twice as likely, (c) Five times as likely, (d) Ten times as likely. The answer to this question is 2-3 times as likely (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).