Question makeovers: How two survey questions were improved and why it matters
We know that poorly written survey questions can lead to inaccurate data, cause survey fatigue, and result in non-response. Sheila here, writing again with my first-rate collaborator, Kim Leonard. In this post we share two examples of poorly worded survey questions...
Maximize Your Survey Response Rates: My interview with Dr. James Pann
Designing Quality Survey Questions - the book, the workshop, the course and the approach are focused on getting results - good data AND good response rates - through a respondent-centered approach. After my co-author and collaborator Kim Leonard and I wrote an article...
Some of the WORST Survey Design Advice We’ve Heard!
Have you ever heard that all of your survey questions should use the same rating scale to make it easier for people to respond? Or that if you include demographic questions, you need to include all possible demographics, and always at the end (or beginning) of the...
Evaluation Questions are The Linchpin of Your Project
You never know when a simple root cause exercise like “the 5 whys” will come in handy. When a program evaluation grad student met with me to discuss her evaluation project, she started with “Well, I’m going to survey teachers.” “Why?” I asked. And she went on to...
Use Diffuse Mode of Thinking for Powerful Problem-solving
There’s a reason they sell waterproof notepads. You’ve heard it too… someone says “I figured it out in the shower” or “I had a great idea out on a walk,” or “I remembered the name of my 6th grade math teacher just as I was trying to fall asleep.” “Of course you did!”...
Your survey deserves a good response rate! 10 tips for success
Sheila here, writing again with my favorite collaborator, Kim Leonard… Response rates are everything in survey design. You spend countless hours designing your survey. You work through a design thinking process, getting to know and understand your respondents. You...
12+ Retrieval practice strategies for instructors & trainers
Retrieval practice is one of the most researched evidence-based learning strategies we have. It’s so simple to implement, yet can be quite hard work. Think of it like running (please pardon the ableist metaphor). We know how to do it, but it’s pretty hard work to...
Balancing tensions in Survey Design: Check all that apply vs Forced Choice
Sheila here, writing again with co-author and co-conspirator, Kim Leonard. Lately, we’ve been thinking about the many balancing tensions we often face in designing quality survey questions - whether we’re developing our own surveys or helping others design and...
Designing a Survey by Committee? You need these 10 tips!
I’ve been working with two wonderful professional associations on their annual (or biennial) State of the Industry surveys - The Presentation Guild* and the Data Visualization Society** and have 10 essential tips to share. To start, I spoke with each group about the...
9 Reflective Questions You Should Be Asking as You Design a Survey
Sheila here, back writing with my favorite survey design partner and co-author Kim Leonard. Questions are a powerful tool no matter what work you’re doing. Questions can catalyze thinking and shift perspectives. In designing surveys - whether for our own projects or...
Sheila B Robinson, Ed.D.
Inspiring talks and custom professional learning that meets your learning needs from a career educator and instructional designer.