This document provides an overview of surveys, including their definition, types, organization, administration methods, advantages, disadvantages, and an example survey. The two main types of surveys are close-ended and open-ended. Close-ended surveys are most common and use multiple choice responses, while open-ended surveys allow respondents to compose their own answers. Effective survey organization includes easy introductory questions, grouping substantive questions together, and placing sensitive or demographic questions at the end. Surveys can be administered via paper, email, websites, phone, and other methods. Advantages include ease of administration, broad reach, and potential for anonymity and large sample sizes, while disadvantages include boredom, lack of truthful responses, low turnout,

1. Surveys: An Overview
Lesley Looper
LSIS5810
Summer 2014

2. What is a survey?
“A set of items,
formulated as
statements or
questions,
used to
generate a
response to
each stated
item.” (p. 257)

3. Two Types of Surveys
1) Close-ended surveys
* Most common , take less time
* Provide clear-cut answers in multiple choice format
* Don’t overdo number of responses; use “other” option
2) Open-ended surveys
* Respondents compose and submit their own responses in space
* Especially good for exploratory studies
* Make sure instructions are clear

4. Survey Organization Tips
▪ Introductory questions: easy and engaging
▪ Heart of the survey: group substantive questions together
▪ Questions needing sensitive responses: put at end of substantive
section
▪ Classification/demographic questions : put at end of survey
▪ Paper surveys: use readable font and font size, use good paper
▪ Web surveys: font, add progress bar, and keep different technologies
in mind

5. Ways to Administer a Survey
▪ Paper survey, return by mail or to drop-off
▪ Email survey, respond by email
▪ Email survey URL, respond online
▪ Post survey on a website, invite people to
respond
▪ Phone survey (response by voice or
touchtone)
▪ Others?

6. Advantages to Surveys
▪ Relatively easy to administer
▪ Can cover broad geographic territory with little effect on cost
▪ Potential for large number of respondents
▪ Survey software can reduce time and cost of data gathering
▪ High potential for anonymity

7. Disadvantages of Surveys
▪ Boredom
▪ Hesitancy to answer truthfully
▪ Low turnout due to dislike of surveys
▪ Technology barrier for web/email-based surveys

8. Ambiguous Questions or Answer Choices

9. Fear of Lack of Anonymity

10. Information Seeking Behavior: HP Labs
▪ Survey in 2004, post-HP-Compaq Merger (2001)
▪ Web survey of 180 lab researchers from different disciplines
▪ 3 former Compaq labs and 3 former HP labs
▪ 77% in Palo Alto, CA; 10% in Cambridge, MA; 7% in Bristol,
England
▪ Open-ended and close-ended questions
▪ Results used to improve library services for employees

11. Questions