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Questionnaire methods

Questionnaires can be self-administered or researcher-administered. Self-administered questionnaires are more common because they are easy to implement and inexpensive, but researcher-administered questionnaires allow deeper insights.

Self-administered questionnaires

Self-administered questionnaires can be delivered online or in paper-and-pen formats, in person or through mail. All questions are standardized so that all respondents receive the same questions with identical wording.

Questionnaire Design | Methods, Question Types & Examples

Published on July 15, 2021 by Pritha Bhandari. Revised on January 9, 2023.
A questionnaire is a list of questions or items used to gather data from respondents about their attitudes, experiences, or opinions. Questionnaires can be used to collect quantitative and/or qualit

1 Define the Goal

Make the purpose of your questionnaire clear. While it's tempting to ask a range of questions simultaneously, you'll get more valuable results if you stay specific to a set topic.

2 Make it Short and Simple

According to HubSpot research, 47% of those surveyed say their top reason for abandoning a survey is the time it takes to complete.So, questionnaires should be concise and easy to finish. If you're looking for a respondent’s experience with your business, focus on the most important questi.

3 Use a Mix of Question Types

Your questionnaire should include a combination of question types, like open-ended, long-form, or short-ended questions.Open-ended questions give users a chance to share their own answers. But closed-ended questions are more efficient and easy to quantify, with specific answer choices.If you're not sure which question types are best, read here for more survey question examples.

4 Proofread Carefully

While it's important to check spelling and grammar, there are two other things you'll want to check for a great questionnaire.
First, edit for clarity. Jargon, technical terms, and brand-specific language can be confusing for respondents. Next, check for leading questions. These questions can produce biased results that will be less useful to your team.