Surveys

Surveys are a common way to generate authentic data. By giving a list of questions to a group of people, enough answers can be put together to recognize trends. Objectivity is the priority since genuine answers will lead to genuine results. Asking 'leading questions', where a person is led toward an answer will leave the surveyor with uncertain results: are the patterns being notice true? or were they the opinions of the person building the survey?

Broad considerations

Introduction should be neutral and include several pieces -- statement of what the survey is and what it is supposed to do; a statement about the anonymous nature of the survey; directions for answering the survey; what to do when completed; a thank you for participating statement

This is a survey about figs investigating how figs are viewed in rural Frederick County. All the answers will be combined to achieve a broad understanding about this fruit in an area known for apples. Your answers will be anonymous. Please answer the questions as directed. When complete, click submit. Thank you for participating in this survey about figs.

Questions should reflect what is sought; ordered to be easy at first, get harder (more thoughtful), then easy at the end; avoid charged or leading words/phrases

A neutral question: What experience have you had with figs?

A charged/leading question: When have you eaten seedy figs?

See how the first one asks for information whereas the second one us suggesting figs are seedy and therefore not tasty?

The end of the survey generally has demographic questions about age, gender, etc.