Webinar Summary

Introduction to the Workshop

The workshop begins with an overview of its purpose and target audience, providing participants with a clear understanding of what to expect. To foster engagement and collaboration, attendees introduce themselves and share their roles and affiliations. The session emphasizes creating a fun and engaging learning environment, ensuring that participants feel comfortable and motivated to contribute actively throughout the workshop.

1. Improving Survey Design with Dr. Kirsten

  • Introduction of Dr. Kirsten, an expert in survey design and research.
  • Importance of good survey design with real-life examples of poor survey design.
  • Techniques to improve survey questions for clarity and effectiveness, including the use of multiple-choice options and splitting complex questions.

2. Case Study: Apple's Specialist Rating Question

  • Analysis of a survey question from Apple regarding employee evaluations.
  • Discussion on clarity, specificity, and the importance of actionable feedback in survey questions.
  • Strategies for designing questions that effectively capture customer support experiences.

3. Designing Actionable Surveys for Target Audience

  • Understanding the need for actionable and reliable survey data.
  • Importance of setting clear goals and understanding the target audience.
  • Developing a survey purpose statement and focusing on relevant demographic information.

4. Understanding Survey Data Quality and Validation

  • Ensuring data quality through respondent background information.
  • Challenges of anonymous surveys and the impact on data reliability.
  • Approaches to validate data and maintain respondent privacy.

5. Addressing Data Validation in Anonymous Surveys

  • Strategies for maintaining control over survey samples and ensuring data quality.
  • Use of qualifying questionnaires and social identities to improve data reliability.
  • Discussion on the challenges of anonymous data collection and potential solutions.

6. Survey Response Rates and Analysis Techniques

  • Importance of response rates and their impact on survey validity.
  • Transparency in interpreting survey results and using statistical tools for analysis.
  • Preference for closed questions to simplify data analysis and reduce qualitative data misinterpretation.

7. Statistical Sampling, Surveys, and Confidentiality

  • Need for statistically valid sampling and the benefits of larger sample sizes.
  • Comparison of surveys, focus groups, and interviews in data collection.
  • Emphasis on confidentiality and trust to maintain participant engagement.

8. Aligning With GDPR Standards and Survey Design

  • Importance of GDPR compliance in survey design, even when not legally required.
  • Comparison of surveys, focus groups, and interviews in data collection.
  • Emphasis on confidentiality and trust to maintain participant engagement.

9. Conclusion and Resources

  • Recap of key points discussed in the workshop.
  • Offer to review surveys and provide feedback.
  • Information on Dr. Kirsten's upcoming book on survey writing.

Mastering Survey Design: Test Your Knowledge

Test your knowledge of survey design with our quiz, from crafting questions to ensuring data quality!

Meet the Speaker

Dr. Kirsten Lee Hill is a highly trained researcher and natural entrepreneur who has been leveraging her expertise to support socially conscious organizations since 2016. Through her boutique consulting firm, she makes research and data accessible and relevant. Kirsten Lee has coached over 150 entrepreneurs on measurement and evaluation, helped secure millions in grant funding for research and innovative ideas, and collaborated with renowned organizations like The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, New York City Public Schools, NewSchools Venture Fund, 4.0, Virgin Unite, and the Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights.

Frequently asked questions

How many questions should there be in a survey?

There is no predefined number of questions that any survey should have. The best approach is to start with your survey goal and then draft the questions that meet the purpose. No more & no less, just enough questions to meet the survey goal.

Can I send my survey to everyone?

That’s not the approach. You need to decide on your survey participants before sending the survey. A Survey on Improving Kindergarten classrooms should be sent to parents of kids, instead of college students. It’s important to decide on your survey participants.

How do I validate data in an anonymous survey?

Sending out your anonymous survey to everyone on social media would probably give you spam data. Decide your target participants & send your anonymous survey to only them. This way you have more control over the data & validation.

Which type of question, closed-ended or open-ended, means for better research?

It depends. Open-ended questions are definitely not the quick route, because it takes a knack for Qualitative research to analyze those responses. On, the other hand, closed-ended questions will provide you with faster results for decision-making. It all depends on the type of research you want to conduct.