Improving Surveys

We can work with you to improve surveys in a number of ways:

1. Review Existing Questions - Are they clearly written and likely to provide the required insight? More

   We first agree the overall aims of the survey and then analyse questions on the basis of this and any existing response data to ensure:

   1. Question Scope

      - The questions are entirely and clearly relevant
      - The questions offer all appropriate responses
      - The question set provides appropriate subject coverage

   2. Question Wording

      - Phrases are a suitable length
      - All Vocabulary/terminology/abbreviation is appropriate for the audience
      - Meaning is conveyed clearly and consistently

   3. Question Order

      - The questions are grouped logically
      - The question order within groups is logical and, when appropriate, focuses attention on the most important questions

   We feedback any comments and suggested changes in an electronic document. If you feel it would be useful, we are also happy to discuss these edits in more detail.

2. Author New Questions – what questions would it be best to ask and how? More

   We first agree the overall objectives of the survey and then author questions on the basis of this and three primary factors:

   1. Question Scope

      - The questions are entirely and clearly relevant
      - The questions offer all appropriate responses
      - The question set provides appropriate subject coverage

   2. Question Wording

      - Phrases are a suitable length
      - All Vocabulary/terminology/abbreviation is appropriate for the audience
      - Meaning is conveyed clearly and consistently

   3. Question Order

      - The questions are grouped logically
      - The question order within groups is logical and, when appropriate, focuses attention on the most important questions

   We then provide a draft question set in an electronic document along with any comments or queries. As necessary, we are also happy to discuss/edit these questions, trial and validate as appropriate (see below for further details).

3. Trial New/Existing Questions - Are the questions functioning correctly? More

   However carefully questions are written, it is always worth trialling them with a sample of the target audience. We can deliver the sample questions using our on-line platform and also check the validity and reliability of the questions by analysing the response data with a variety of quantitative and qualitative techniques.

4. Improve Question Delivery - Are the questions being asked and answered effectively? More

   We analyse the question context (such as the instructions respondents are given beforehand), question presentation, data capture mechanisms and, where appropriate, suggest improvements. We can also administer questions for you using our on-line platform.

5. Analyse Response Data - How well are the questions performing and what do the answers actually mean? More

   We help you extract the full value of information from responses and pin point any limitations and caveats. We do this by analysing the response data using a variety of quantitative and qualitative techniques and, in turn, gauging the quantity and quality of useable data. We can also provide a cleansed response data set (i.e. without spurious and irrelevant entries) for further 3rd party analysis.

6. Train Question Authors - what are the principles and processes behind good question design? More

   We can train your staff on the various steps and nuances of effective question authoring. We can also cover the analysis and interpretation of response data in order to validate new or existing content.

Where can we help?

Good survey design adds value wherever an organisation wants to gauge attitudes and behaviours. However, it is particularly important in the following areas:

1. Customer Satisfaction Surveys - What are customers’ opinions, preferences and ideas? Key Benefits:
   • Increase survey efficiency (reducing time and costs of completion)
   • Improve participation (respondents provide more information when questions are easier to complete and seem more relevant)
   • Enable more meaningful analysis (if the underlying data is more precise and consistent)
2. Employee Engagement Surveys - How do staff feel about their work and employers? Key Benefits:
   • Obtain more accurate and honest responses by creating a safe context for openness
   • Increase staff participation as, due to better questions, they feel they are being properly heard
   • Increase survey efficiency (reducing the time, effort and cost of completion)
   • Enable more meaningful analysis (the underlying data being more accurate)
3. Market Research - What are the conditions and how are they changing? Key Benefits:
   • Reduce sample sizes
   • Improve question reach without making them seem vague or complicated
   • Simplify analysis
4. Stakeholder Consultation - Are all viewpoints being accurately represented? Key Benefits:
   • Increase engagement by making people feel that they are properly involved
   • Improve decision making (more accurate information creates better decisions)
   • Improve decision acceptance (people are more accepting if they feel they have been heard)
   • Improve solution implementation (People involved in creating something are more likely to help support and develop it going forward)
5. Change Management - Are the right messages getting through? Key Benefits:
   • Gauge operational awareness and cooperation
   • Identify potentially harmful misunderstanding
   • Improve employee/stakeholder engagement
6. Training Evaluation - How have learners reacted to a training intervention? Key Benefits:
   • Understand the perceived effectiveness of the training
   • Identify the most valued aspects of the learning
   • Predict the extent the learning is likely to be used on the job and in what way
   • Identify opportunities to improve training
   • Save time and money by avoiding ineffective training

   To find out more about us or to discuss your requirements please Contact us.