Survey research

In this section, we are going to discuss deeply how the answer ranges are scaled depending on various methods. 

• Nominal scale – this way of answering options uses numbers to label the qualitative variables. Meaning, the numbers don’t have any value for themselves as they just serve as labels which respondents use to mention in the answer section. They have a one-to-one relationship with the corresponding variables and are used for their identification.

Example: How do you represent your gender?

1. 1-Male
2. 2-Female
3. 3-Other

• Ordinal scale – in this scale, the variables range in various ranking orders but doesn’t specify to what degree each of them is important. The data is qualitative since can be grouped or ranked. With this method, the researcher determines to what degree does the responder agrees or disagrees with the question statement. 

Example: We have a satisfying customer service so far.

1. Totally agree
2. Somewhat agree
3. Neutral
4. Disagree
5. Totally disagree

• Interval scale – this scale is used to measure variables existing at equal intervals parallel to a common scale. It combines the attributes of nominal and ordinal scales and is used where there is order and a meaningful difference between two variables. You can carry out other mathematical processes like calculating the mean and median on the variables.

Example: You enjoyed using our product.

1. Completely agree
2. Somewhat agree
3. Neither agree nor disagree
4. Somewhat disagree
5. Completely disagree

• Ratio scale – this is a numeric scale as well and uses intervals or ranges as answer options. It is made up of scales of other surveys and it has equal intervals between the variables in the scale. 

Example: How much experience do you have with our product?

1. More than a year
2. 12-10 months
3. 10-8 months
4. 8-6 months
5. 6-4 months
6. 4-2 months
7. Below 2 months

It is important to perfectly design a research survey for it to be useful to your business. You need to pay attention to the use of correct survey design, frame the right questions and choose effective platforms to distribute your surveys. 

Here are some 10 tips that will help you to design your survey research efficiently:

1. Set goals – this even before you start your survey design. Decide what goals you want to achieve with your survey and plot down the objectives of conducting that particular survey so that it acts as a guideline to your research.
2. Right questions – it is important to frame correct questions which will directly hit the exact answers you were looking for. Keep the questions short and simple so that respondents can easily identify them and stay away from any confusion. Run mock surveys with your friends and colleagues to know any improvements in the questions if any.
3. Generalized questions in the start – start with such questions to get an idea of whether respondents have used your product or not and whether they have enough knowledge concerning your research topic.
4. Enhance – modify your survey for every question to fit its format with the moto. The questions should bring you the answers you were looking for. 
5. Yes/no questions – include yes or no questions asking basic questions like “Have you used our product?” Then depending on their answer, you can ask them different questions. 
6. Test for all electronic devices – your survey should be responsive on any electronic device. This way it will be easier for the respondents to answer your survey according to their convenience.
7. Distribute survey – once your survey is ready, make use of various channels available and deploy the survey on them. You can use online/offline platforms to do this. 
8. Response collection and analytics – this is the important phase since it will be the turning point of your research. This includes making information out of what data you have collected so far. Choose your analysing methodology efficiently so that it matches your research purpose and come up with the suitable solution you were looking for. 
9. Summary report – this is where you summarize your report. Gather your problem statement and the way you carried out the survey, the sampling style and how you conducted the survey. And lastly, take your findings and make a report of them highlighting the important details in the research process. 
10. Follow-up – now that your research doesn’t, your work doesn’t end here. You have to constantly refer your report and always look for new findings in the same areas that you have researched. This will help you to be updated in the market and always be on track with new ideas for your product.