How to prepare a survey for a diploma thesis?
The survey is not a list of questions that seem interesting. Each item should provide the data needed to answer the research question. A well-designed questionnaire is short, understandable and neutral, and at the same time allows you to perform a planned analysis.
Key information
- ✓Match each question with a research problem or a necessary sample characteristic.
- ✓Avoid suggestive questions, doubles and imprecise times.
- ✓Use consistent response scales and describe all their points.
- ✓Conduct a pilot before starting the actual data collection.
Start with a table of research questions
Enter your research questions in the first column, the information you need in the second, and specific survey questions in the third. This makes it easy to spot redundant elements and problems for which data is missing.
Before writing the questionnaire, plan basic tables and charts. If you don't know how you will use the answer, the question probably needs to be changed or deleted.
Closed, open and semi-open questions
Closed questions make it easier to compare answers, but the list of options must be complete and disjoint. The "other, what?" option helps when it is impossible to predict all possibilities.
Open-ended questions provide free expression, but require coding and are more likely to be omitted. Use them sparingly where you really need content that cannot be captured in a ready-made scale.
How to build clear scales?
The scale should have clear endpoints and stay in the same direction throughout the survey. A sudden change from "1 - definitely not" to "1 - definitely yes" increases the risk of accidental responses.
Don't combine two things in one statement, such as quality and speed of service. The respondent may have different opinions about each of them, and a single answer will become impossible to interpret.
Imprint, anonymity and order
Specific questions should cover only the features needed in the analysis. Too detailed a combination of age, position and location may enable the person to be recognized even without asking for the name.
Start with simple and topic-related questions, place the more difficult ones in the middle, and usually put the information at the end. In the introduction, state the purpose of the study, the expected time and how the answers will be used.
Pilot and test the form
Ask a few people who are similar to your future respondents to complete the survey and describe any areas that are unclear. Time yourself, check skipped questions, and whether answer options cover common situations.
Test transition rules, mandatory questions, data export and mobile view. Once you have launched the actual survey, do not change the content of the questions unnecessarily, as different versions make it difficult to compare the results.
Summary
The value of a survey depends not on the number of questions, but on their relationship to the purpose of the study and the quality of the answers obtained. First plan the analysis, then select the indicators and only then write the questionnaire based on this. A short pilot allows you to detect ambiguities that the author usually does not notice. Thanks to this, a proper study provides data that can be reliably described and interpreted.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions should a work survey have?
The questionnaire should be as short as possible and as long as the purpose of the study requires. Most often, what is more important than the number is the expected pace of completion and the lack of unnecessary questions.
How many answers are needed for a diploma thesis?
It depends on the population, sample selection and planned analysis. The number should be agreed with the promoter and justified methodologically, instead of adopting a random threshold.
Can the survey be prepared in Google Forms?
Yes, if the tool meets data protection requirements and allows you to configure questions correctly. Before publishing, you need to check the form on your phone and computer.
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