This guidance has been summarised from Gehlbach and Artino (2018).
- Ask the more important items earlier in the questionnaire, which will increase the likelihood that respondents will answer these questions whilst they are focused and have energy.
- Ensure that each item applies to each respondent, or you risk alienating respondents to whom the item does not apply (Dillman, Smyth, & Christian, 2014).
- Use scales rather than single items. Scales bolster accuracy, with each question addressing a representative cross-section of the experience.
- Maintain a consistent visual layout of the questionnaire. This helps maintain clarity for the respondent, who can then complete the questionnaire more efficiently.
- Place sensitive items (e.g., demographic questions) later in the questionnaire. Respondents will feel more comfortable sharing this information later on in the questionnaire.
Find out more about developing items and their response options.
References
Dillman, D. A., Smyth, J. D., & Christian, L. M. (2014). Internet, Phone, Mail, and Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method (4th ed.). Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Gehlbach, H., & Artino Jr., A. R. (2018). The survey checklist (manifesto). Academic Medicine, 93(3), 360-366. Retrieved from https://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/fulltext/2018/03000/The_Survey_Checklist__Manifesto_.18.aspx#pdf-link