Are you ready to create surveys that minimize burden on respondents and maximize the usefulness of results?
Join us September 21 & 28 for a two-part online course in Designing Quality Survey Questions! (Registration opens summer 2023)
Surveys are a popular data collection tool because they are so easy to use and have the potential to reach large populations even with a relatively small investment of time and technical resources. But, as survey fatigue grows, we must craft richer, more concise, and more focused survey questions to keep respondents engaged and yield accurate and useful data.
During this live online course, you’ll spend four hours with survey question design experts Sheila B. Robinson & Kim Leonard. Sheila & Kim will use rich examples and engaging activities to demonstrate why and how to engage in a respondent-centered, intentional survey design process to craft high quality survey questions.
Course Details
Schedule & Agenda
Session 1, September 21
10:00am – 12:30 Pacific/ 1:00pm – 3:30pm Eastern
In Session 1 we will:
- Demonstrate through rich examples and stories why a respondent-centered, intentional survey design matters.
- Introduce and describe our survey design process.
- Use interactive activities to practice identifying common problems that show up in survey questions.
- Save time for Q&A.
Session 2, September 28
10:00am – 12:30 Pacific/ 1:00pm – 3:30pm Eastern
In Session 2 we will:
- Dive into research-based guidance about specific question types such as rating scales, check all that apply questions, and open-ended questions.
- Talk about how to handle potentially sensitive questions such as demographic questions.
- Address common questions such as:
- When should we use “I don’t know”, “Unsure” or similar response options?
- How can we effectively deal with annual surveys?
- How best to label response options in rating scales?
- How many response options should we offer?
- Introduce and describe our question design assessment tool:The Checklist for Quality Question Design.
- Practice revising problematic questions.
- Save time for Q&A.
Learning Objectives
As a result of completing this course, participants will be able to:
- Use a respondent-centered, intentional question design process as a key to designing an effective survey.
- Understand the cognitive processes involved in answering survey questions and their implications for question design.
- Identify several common problems with survey questions and ways to address them.
- Craft high quality open and closed ended survey questions with appropriate response options.
Participants will also have an opportunity to practice their question design skills and will leave with resources to further develop their skills, including a copy of The Designing Quality Surveys Checklist.
Policies & Accommodations
Refunds: Full refunds for cancellations are available until 10 days prior to the first session, after which partial refunds may be available at the discretion of the facilitators. Contact Kim directly at kim@leonardrande.com to request a refund.
Once approved, your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within 30 days.
Recordings: This is a live, interactive course. Participants will benefit most from attending the entirety of both sessions. Recordings will not be available.
Accommodations: The course will be conducted in English via Zoom. Live closed captioning will be available in English, but translation will not be available at this time. You will be prompted to let us know about other accommodation needs when you register.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should attend this course? How advanced is the content?
This course is intended for anyone who wants or needs to create surveys. No prior knowledge or experience is assumed, but we find that most participants come with some basic knowledge about what not to do when crafting survey questions. For those with extensive experience creating surveys, this may serve as an excellent refresher, and will introduce our tool – the Designing Quality Survey Questions checklist. While we do discuss the psychology of survey response and practical approaches to ensuring validity, we do not cover advanced testing techniques (e.g., psychometrics).
What parts of the survey design research process are covered?
This course focuses on the overall survey design process and emphasizes crafting effective questions that engage respondents, minimize burden, and yield meaningful data and actionable insights. This course does not address advanced validation techniques, sampling or analysis. The course is also format-agnostic; we do not recommend nor discuss specific survey software. Course content is designed to be useful regardless of survey administration format or software.
How do I submit proof that I am a student?
Please email kim@leonardrande.com with any of the following as proof of your status as a student within 48 hours of registration.
- Photocopy of your dated student ID (with current date)
- Photocopy of your class registration
- Photocopy of your class schedule (must include your info)
- Photocopy of your school bill
Can my whole team attend with one registration?
Registration is designed for individuals. Email Kim (kim@leonardrande.com) to ask about a discount for groups of 5 or more.
Can I attend only one of the two sessions?
This is a live, interactive course. Participants will benefit most from attending the entirety of both sessions. Recordings will not be available.
Will you share a recording or your slides with participants?
Registered participants will receive a comprehensive handout with key concepts and resources. The course will not be recorded.
I can no longer attend - can I get a refund?
Full refunds for cancellations are available until 10 days prior to the first session, after which partial refunds may be available at the discretion of the facilitators. Contact Kim directly at kim@leonardrande.com to request a refund.
Once approved, your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within 30 days.
Pricing
$400 – early bird through August 18, 2023
$500 – full price starting August 19, 2023
$350 – student price (must show proof of current student status)
Teams (5 or more) pricing available! Please inquire.
Get your very own copy of Designing Quality Survey Questions! It’s available now at SAGE Publications or on Amazon.
What reviewers said...
This text does a really good job of capturing the current literature on survey research, without getting dragged down into the minutiae.
The examples do an excellent job of illustrating key ideas.
Organization is very clear, follows logically, and concise while being comprehensive.
Real-life examples also are a great strength of the text.
The applied questions and exercises will be particularly valued by students.
References are given to medical, social science and educational research and will appeal to a broad audience.
THE AUTHORS
Sheila B Robinson & Kim F Leonard
Facilitators
Sheila & Kim met on Twitter over a decade ago, began blogging together and facilitating standing-room only conference sessions and sold-out pre-conference workshops on survey design, and ultimately co-authored Designing Quality Survey Questions, (SAGE Publications, 2018). They combined decades of experience in non-profits, education, philanthropy, social work, assessment, and evaluation to create this course based on the latest research on survey questions.
Kim Leonard, MPA
Co-author / Facilitator
Kim Leonard, MPA, Leonard Research & Evaluation, LLC, has over 15 years of experience evaluating and improving a wide range of programs and initiatives with varying contexts, scopes and budgets. Kim is currently a Senior Research & Learning Officer at Oregon Community Foundation. Kim has led formal and informal workshops for nonprofit leaders, researchers and evaluators, students, and academic professionals. Author of Designing Quality Survey Questions (SAGE Publications 2018), Kim is also a former president of Oregon Program Evaluators Network (OPEN).
Sheila B. Robinson, Ed.D.
Co-author / Facilitator
Sheila B. Robinson, Ed.D., Custom Professional Learning, LLC, is a speaker, consultant, and evaluator who facilitates workshops on evaluation, survey design, presentation design, and data visualization, and graduate courses on evaluation, professional development, and data visualization at the University of Rochester. Author of Designing Quality Survey Questions (SAGE Publications 2018), Sheila is also a Certified Presentation Specialist (CPS™), Vice President of the Presentation Guild, and Senior Design & Facilitation Consultant with Evergreen Data.
What people are saying…
“This was an expertly choreographed and content-rich yet accessible presentation of common pitfalls in survey design, and emerging best-practice workarounds. Nice mix of lecture, solo processing work for us introverts, and group-based collaboration. Essential PD for anyone who develops surveys and adapts validated scales for applied research. Highly recommend!”
While you’re here, check out our book, Designing Quality Survey Questions.