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Six Steps in Conducting an Online Survey

The following six steps define how we approach each comprehensive survey research project:

1. Survey Scoping
• Define survey goals and timeline
• Determine survey population size and accessibility
• Assess survey sample size to insure reliable and valid results/statistics
• Identify and address potential sources of bias
• Determine need, and options for, participation incentives
2. Survey Instrument Development
• Develop questionnaire (questions and corresponding scales as well as layout)
• Create statistical analysis plan
• Submit paper version for review, beta test and approval
3. Survey Construction
• Input questions into online survey tool
• Apply security options
• Pre-test, adjust, re-test and finalize
4. Survey Application
• Send survey pre-invitation announcement
• Send invitation to take the survey via an email campaign
• Monitor survey response progress
• Send reminder notices to non-respondents (typically, two reminders)
  
• Close survey on agreed date and/or upon reaching needed response rate
5. Survey Analysis
• Inspect data for integrity
  
• Produce basic descriptive statistics (response frequencies and cross-tabulation tables)
• Apply required descriptive and inferential statistical analysis and identify significant results based on analysis design
  
• Perform content analysis on open-ended questions
6. Survey Report
• Executive Summary
• Methodology (including response rates / non-responses / etc.)
• Discussion of Key Findings
• Supporting Tables, Charts and Content Analysis