There is a lot of material available online about how to prepare good surveys, but the following checklist (Fig 19)
gives a few guidelines that may be helpful. Fig 20 gives examples of good and bad survey questions.
You have already identified your audit areas and your audit questions in Tool 4. These will be the basis for your
survey. Following the guidelines below, draft your survey.
Figure 19: Guidelines for preparing surveys
Prepare the Survey
Keep it simple and short
The number and depth of questions will depend on your survey participants and
the time they will have to complete the survey. Generally, no more than 10 to 15
key questions are appropriate. Each question should cover only one idea.
Use a combination of questions (ref Fig18)
• Open-ended questions will let your survey participants say what they wish and you
are less likely to influence the responses. More detailed qualitative information can
be gathered, but analysis can be more difficult.
• Closed-ended questions (including rating and multiple choice) result in a limited
number of quantitative responses. They are easier to interpret and analyse and
have a higher response rate.
Use a combination of question types to gather both critical and more
detailed information.
Use unambiguous and neutral language that respondents will understand
Use language that relates to, and is appropriate for, your NHRI. Frame questions
positively and consider sensitivities in language so there is no harm experienced by
survey participants. Make definitions clear and word questions as neutrally as possible
to avoid misinterpretation and to minimise any influence on responses.
Break questions into sub-topics according to the audit areas you have identified
to improve the structure and flow of your questions. This will make it easier for survey
participants to respond and helps when it comes to analysing the information.
50