2. Understand
the survey design process
Write
survey questions and responses
guided by social science best practices
A
B
C
D
E
3. What
are you trying to measure or learn
from your students?
KEY:
Refer
Start broad and then go into specifics
to handout: Sample Plan
A
B
C
D
E
4. Establish
Know
a timeline – see handout
your budget
Decide
on a survey collection method
Create
a back up plan
A
B
C
D
E
5. Recommendation 1: Keep it simple and
specific.
Get readability scores from Microsoft
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/test-yourdocument-s-readability-HP010354286.aspx
Word
Add summary judgments, specific times,
measurements
A
B
C
D
E
6. Recommendation 1: Keep it simple and
specific.
ACTIVITY
How many career courses have you taken?
A
B
C
D
E
7. Recommendation 2: Work from easy to
hard
The first question should relate to the topic
and be easy to answer.
A
B
C
D
E
8. Recommendation 2: Work from easy to hard
Potential first question:
What is your plan following graduation? I am ….
A. Seeking or have any type of professional
employment (part-time, full-time, internship)
B. Seeking or have admission for additional education
(Master’s, Professional, Ph.D., 2nd Bachelors)
C.
Not seeking employment or additional education
(volunteering, traveling)
D.
Other
A
B
C
D
E
9. Recommendation 3: Put important
questions towards the beginning
Survey fatigue is a common issue
Questions
of fact vs. questions of opinion
A
B
C
D
E
10. Recommendation 4: Be engaging
Add
some personality throughout the
survey, ie: “Thanks for sticking with us” or
“Only three more questions”
Add
an interesting fact from last year’s
data
A
B
C
D
E
11. Recommendation 5: Place demographic
questions at the end
Ease
students in and ease them out
A
B
C
D
E
12. Recommendation 6: Avoid double barreled
questions and responses.
When
students can’t answer the question,
they will most likely quit.
Your
data will not be accurate
A
B
C
D
E
13. Recommendation 6: Avoid double barreled
questions and responses.
Sample Question:
How would you rate your advising session and career
advisor?
A
B
C
D
E
14. Recommendation 7: Borrow questions.
Compare findings
Make them work for your students
A
B
C
D
E
15. Recommendation 8: Don’t make response
lists too long.
Students lose interest
Think about phone administration
A
B
C
D
E
16. Recommendation 9: Create a logical flow
Computer logic?
Refer to your survey plan
General to broad
A
B
C
D
E
17. Recommendation 10: Using “other” or
“prefer not to disclose”
Open vs. Closed Questions
How much time do you have to commit?
10% rule
Sensitive Questions
A
B
C
D
E
18. Recommendation 4: Using “Other” or “Prefer not to
disclose”
What will your annual salary range be in US dollars?
Below $16,000
$16,000 - $20,999
$21,000 - $25,999
$26,000 - $30,999
$31,000 - $35,999
$36,000 - $40,999
$41,000 - $45,999
$46,000 - $50,999
$51,000 - $60,999
$61,000 - $65,999
$66,000 - $70,999
$71,000 - $75,999
$76,000 - $80,999
$81,000 - $85,999
$86,000 - $90,999
$91,000 - $95,999
$96,000 - $100,999
More Than $101,000
A
B
C
D
E
19.
Check your survey with your students (310 if possible)
Proximity to the project issues
Don’t marry your work of art
A
B
C
D
E
20.
Things to cover:
• Thank you
• Introduce your office
• Explain the purpose of the survey and how you
will use the information
• Confidentiality information
• Estimate of how long it will take
• Incentive information
A
B
C
D
E