Survey Introduction: an example
A common error with this assignment is the composition of the introduction to your surveys; this is a very important. You must fulfill research ethics.
Here is a good example for you to study and follow the wording.
Public Transportation on the UBC Vancouver Campus
I am an undergraduate student at UBC engaged in a technical writing project. The purpose of this survey is to obtain primary data for an analysis and investigation that aims to provide recommendations for improving your experience with public transportation on the UBC Vancouver campus. The final formal report will be addressed to TransLink staff and UBC Campus + Community Planning staff. Together with the reports available from TransLink website, the data I gather from this survey will serve the ultimate purpose of providing recommendations for increasing efficiency and accessibility. The survey contains 14 multiple-choice questions, and it should take about than 5 minutes of your time. Your responses are voluntary and anonymous. Thank you, I appreciate your generous participation in my survey.
When composing survey questions, it is essential that the questions are framed in the positive, and do not lead toward a particular answer. In other words, avoid ‘leading questions.’
For example:
Leading Questions:
- At what time of day or in what situations do you find the current ordering system limiting?
- Is there a specific step in the ordering process that you think could be improved?
- Do you think that mistakes in fulfilling orders are more likely with paper pads as opposed to, an electronic system?
Correct way to question:
- What times of day do you take the most orders? Give times to check off
- How efficient is the ordering system: rank 1 – 5
- Have you used a POS electronic system? yes / no
- How would you rank POS systems: rank 1 – 5
Avoid Personal Questions: Re- frame so you are not asking ‘personal” questions.
For example:
“Have you ever been unable to get a taxi cab in Vancouver? “
Correction: Calling or hailing a taxi in Vancouver is:
- Easy and convenient
- Sometimes difficult and inconvenient
- Always difficult and inconvenient
- Unpredictable
- N/A
“Have you ever had an unpleasant experience with a taxi in Vancouver? “
Correction: Using taxis in Vancouver is:
- Always pleasant and comfortable
- Sometimes unpleasant and/ or uncomfortable
- Always unpleasant and/or uncomfortable
- N/A
Avoid the Negative
Always avoid the negative when writing survey questions. Example:
- Have you even been unable to find an item in a timely manner?
- Rewrite: Are you able to find items in a timely manner?
Always ‘avoid the negative’ when writing proposals and reports; stress positive outcomes rather than negative situations
Here is an example: negative
With the rise in employees and with the lack of an organized HR information systems and management in place, it is expected that delivering quality care for employees would be neglected as well as employee management would be more difficult to practice.
Rewrite: positive
With the rise in employees the need for well-organized HR information systems and management teams increases and the ability to continue to deliver quality care for employees and management will depend on implementing new and more efficient systems.
Example: negative
If we fail to act now to increase awareness of roller derby and encourage the involvement of new skaters, our league will not be able to maintain the number of skaters necessary for survival.
Rewrite: positive
If we act now to increase awareness of roller derby and encourage the involvement of new skaters, our league will be able to maintain the number of skaters necessary for survival.
And please remember; professional writers are writing for busy people.
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