1. Identify your research questions.
What do you want to find out?
Why is it important to investigate?
You should only have a few questions per project.
2. Identify the population of interest.
What group or groups are you interested in?
What demographic groups may have differences within your population?
How will you reach your participants?
3. Identify the variables in your research.
What background information do you have?
Its useful to create a concept map to show relationships.
4. Create an instrument for data collection.
Include an introduction for participants
Avoid asking about multiple concepts in one question
Avoid leading questions
Do not overlap options
Provide a neutral option
Include limited open ended questions
Thank the respondent and provide contact information
5. Test your survey instrument​
Do participants understand the questions?
How long does it take?
Guess what? We have a database that has tons of resources to help you develop and think through your research. Anything you're interested in doing, it will help you figure out how and why. Videos, books, journal articles, and chapters to inspire you!
Use the Methods Map to browse through different ways of doing survey research. You can also use it to inspire new ideas.