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Survey Design: Tips and Tricks

New session times will be displayed below upon confirmation.

Most Technology Training classes will be delivered online until further notice.

Before each session, Tech Training will provide a Zoom link for live online classes, along with any required class materials.
 



When surveying users, it is important to know the basics of survey science. In this lecture setting, learn tips and best practices of survey design to get the information you need.

 

Learning Objectives

  • How to strategically plan your survey
  • Understand the best practices for survey design
  • Review collection techniques to get the best response rate
  • Considerations when presenting the findings
  • Determine which online tool is best for your survey

 

Topics Covered

 

Planning

  • Formulating the problem or question to be answered
  • Determining the research approach
  • Setting objectives for information collection

 

Design

  • Choosing a collection method (Qualtrics, Google Forms, or SurveyMonkey)
  • Tips for good visual design
  • Types of questions/response alternatives
  • Pretesting and pilot testing
  • Pitfalls to avoid
  • Good question test - is it clear, easy answerable, unbiased?

 

Collection

  • Collecting responses
  • Improving response rates and retention

 

Analysis & Reporting

  • Considerations when presenting the finds in charts and graphs
Don Cameron

Don is the Instructional Design lead in Technology Training, and has been at Stanford since 1998. He teaches collaboration and communication classes, along with courses on Google Apps, Smartsheet, and survey design.

Custom training workshops are available for this program

Technology training sessions structured around individual or group learning objectives. Learn more about custom training


University IT Technology Training sessions are available to a wide range of participants, including Stanford University staff, faculty, students, and employees of Stanford Hospitals & Clinics, such as Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, Stanford Medicine Partners, and Stanford Medicine Children's Health.

Additionally, some of these programs are open to interested individuals not affiliated with Stanford, allowing for broader community engagement and learning opportunities.