How to create a survey using Survey GalaxyDesigning surveys is considered easy; but is it? The truth is that writing surveys is easy but writing effective surveys is more difficult. The following twenty tips will help you write more effective surveys. 1. What is the survey’s purpose? Surveys are conducted for many reasons. By correctly phrasing the questions and structuring the answers surveys can be used in a multitude of ways and for a variety of reasons. When designing a survey don’t lose sight of its purpose. 2. Give the survey a good title The title of the survey is an opportunity to instantly summarise a survey’s objective and encourage respondents to participate. Respondents need to invest time in completing the survey so encourage them that the investment they make will be worthwhile. 3. Do not make the survey any longer than it needs to be Every question asked should be asked for a reason. Focus on ‘need to know’ questions and minimise ‘nice to know’ information. 4. Use plain English, avoid jargon and acronyms, be consistent and ensure that the questions you ask will not result in ambiguous answers Take care when wording a question. There is every chance that if respondents can interpret any question that is not clearly written differently to that intended by the survey’s publisher then any analysis of the survey results may be worthless or at the very least misleading. 5. Avoid long questions Try to use succinct sentences wherever possible. Long questions can lead to a higher level of incidents where respondents abandon a survey. 6. Ask one question at a time Avoid confusing the respondent with a question like ‘Do you like football and tennis?’ 7. Avoid influencing the answer Do not load the question. ‘Should irresponsible shop keepers who sell cigarettes to minors be prosecuted?’ is unlikely to have any value. 8. Ensure that the answer format used allows the respondent to answer the question being asked Allow the respondent to answer how they really feel or they may be i