• Write for Us
  • Resources
    • How To
    • Blog
    • User Guide
    • Training Videos
    • Webinars & Training
    • Customer Stories
    • Case Studies
    • Customer List
    • Survey Template Bank
  • Contact Us
  • Login
SoGoSurvey – Online Survey Tool SoGoSurvey – Online Survey Tool SoGoSurvey – Online Survey Tool SoGoSurvey – Online Survey Tool
Blog
  • About
  • Customer Experience
  • Employee Engagement
  • Feature Focus
  • Request a Demo
SoGoSurvey Blog SoGoSurvey Blog SoGoSurvey BlogBlog SoGoSurvey Blog
SoGoSurvey Blog SoGoSurvey Blog
  • About
  • Customer Experience
  • Employee Engagement
  • Feature Focus
  • Request a Demo
Last updated on: Oct 14, 2019

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Survey Questionnaire

by Haris Azmi

Estimated Reading Time : 2 mins

As researchers and business analysts, we’re constantly reaching out to our constituents to better understand them. We’re sending them surveys, polls, online forms as means to collect their thoughts. Many of us spend hours in writing the questionnaire in the hope of getting the right feedback. However, we have seen that a lot of us make a few mistakes again and again that can be easily avoided.

Avoid the following 5 mistakes when writing your next survey questionnaire to help create a concise and unambiguous survey.

1) Leading Questions

A leading question is one that guides the respondents’ answers. Sometimes, we do it unknowingly and end up skewing the result. As a researcher, we avoid creating biases within a survey questionnaire to ensure a fair and objective study.

2) Double-Negative Questions

Use of 2 negative words in a question can confuse the respondents, who may misinterpret your question. Make sure you phrase all your questions such that they are easy to understand and follow.

3) Double-Barreled Questions

This is a common oversight and can confuse those participants who may fall in multiple categories. Make sure that the answer choices don’t overlap with one another.

4) Hypothetical Questions

Ask hypothetical questions when absolutely necessary. They force respondents to imagine scenarios that they may be clueless about. If the hypothetical question is a bit too vague, try putting it out as an open ended question. This gives the respondents a wider canvas to express their thoughts rather than limit them to our own imagination.

5) Restricted Answer Options

Make sure that the the answer options for a question are exhaustive and account for each respondent’s choices. In another words, don’t force a respondent to pick an answer option for lack of a right one. Providing, “Other” as an answer option and letting them type their response, always helps. How do you think someone who drives a Honda car, will answer this question?

Ready to get started? Learn more about SoGoSurvey today!

Schedule a Demo

Tags:

feedback survey questionsonline pollonline surveySoGoSurveysurvey questionnaire

Get Updates via Email

Subscribe
More in Best Practices

Recent Posts

  • Think small: Valuing service in the new normal January 23, 2021
  • Lighten Up: The Impact of Light on Productivity January 22, 2021
  • Run / Walk / Run: How Giving Your Brain a Break Delivers Better Results January 20, 2021
  • Connecting Customer Perception to Your Marketing Program January 19, 2021
  • Get Proactive: Building Your Mental Health First Aid Kit January 16, 2021
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Anti-Spam Policy
  • Data & Security
Copyright 2021 SoGoSurvey. All rights reserved.
We use cookies to improve your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and manage targeted advertisements. By continuing on this site you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more here.