Which question type is right for your survey

We usually talk about three main types of questions, where in most surveys it would be sensible to use a combination of these: 

1. Closed-ended questions In a closed-ended question the respondent gives his/ her answer by selecting from a list of per-defined options (multiple choice). This makes it quick and easy to answer the question and makes the analysis work simpler. At the same time you risk having an incomplete list of options in terms of every possible answer to the question. It is, therefore, imperative to work thoroughly with the response options so that you can ensure the list is as exhaustive as possible. 

2. Open-ended questions In an open-ended question with a free text answer field, the respondent formulates the answer his/ herself without a multiple choice being predefined. The advantage of using this type of question is that the respondent thinks and answers more freely than when choosing from multiple choice options, and this could bring in answers that are both surprising and useful. The disadvantage of using open-ended questions is that interpreting and processing the answers later on is more labor-intensive. When using open-ended questions it is important to be clear about what you want an answer to. Write the question out in full instead of just “comment”, “input”, etc. Otherwise you might get answers to something else entirely than originally intended. 

3. Combination of closed-ended and open-ended questions By using a combination of closed-ended and open-ended questions you can increase the likelihood of getting in every possible answer. This method is commonly used when you want to use multiple choice questions, but are not sure if all the response options are covered.

A poorly formed survey can make drawing valid data and conclusions difficult. Below we look at the elements that are important to bear in mind when forming the questions.

In all questionnaires the semantics and choice of words are often more important than even the statistics. This means that the superstructure of a survey is, in principle, the language used, even though the statics form the basis for reporting of results. It is imperative that the questions included in a survey have certain characteristics: 

• They should be relevant in the sense that they have an obvious connection to a clearly defined problem. 

• They should be simple and expressed in a conversational tone. They should be adapted for the weakest link in the chain. 

• They should be unambiguous, meaning there should be no risk of them being misunderstood or confused with other ideas, concepts or problems . 

• They should not come across as hurtful, offensive, annoying or inflammatory. 

• They should not contain slang, abbreviations, specialist/pompous terminology, etc. Ensure, to as great an extent as possible, that all the respondents will understand all the questions, and that they are understood in precisely the same manner!

A common mistake is using questions where more than one answer is possible, when there should only be one answer possible, and vice versa. It is, therefore, important to a have clear opinion about this as regards each question where this might be a relevant issue.

Makes them as neutral as possible. Asking questions in a way that leads the respondent to certain answers must be avoided. 

“Harm to the environment is the most important challenge that Norway is facing. How much do you agree or disagree that the parliament should grant more funds for environmental purposes?” 

In the example above, it is taken as a given that the most important challenge Norway is facing is harm to the environment. Therefore, it can be concluded that this question is not neutral but leading.

An often encountered source of error is that the response options are not mutually exclusive. It’s easy to make a mistake and, for example, set up age categories as follows: 

How old are you? 

• Below 20 years 

• 20-30 years 30-40 years 

• 40-50 years 50 years or older 

In this case the respondent is asked for only one answer, yet if the respondent is 30 years old, for example, there are two options that would apply. Below is an example of how the response options could rather have been set up: 

How old are you? 

• Below 20 years 

• 20-29 years 

• 30-39 years 

• 40-49 years 

• 50 years or older

It is important to include response options that cover every thinkable (and, maybe even unthinkable?) answer a respondent could give to a question. If the number of response options is inadequate, this could be a possible source error when you are interpreting the results. 

What is most important to you when choosing a petrol station? 

• Availability 

• Chain 

• Price 

In this case a number of response options is missing, such as selection, opening hours, other and don’t know. If the respondent does not find an adequate list of response options, he/she will not be able to give the right answer and you will not have gotten an answer to your question.

There should be a connection between phrasing and word choice of the question and the response options, so as to prevent the respondent from misunderstanding and to avoid the risk of the results becoming invalid. It also gives the impression that the survey is not properly prepared and is therefore not of great importance to the sender. 

All in all, how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with Company AS? 

1 (Very bad) 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 (Very good)

The people answering your survey must be allowed to not know, or not have, more or less, fixed perceptions or attitudes to something that does not affect them in their daily lives. This is why it is important to assure ourselves that what we mean by a word, idea/concept or construction is also understood in the same way by those who answer, and we must be aware that words and ideas can mean different things to different individuals and different groups.

Do not ask about more than one issue in one and the same question. Otherwise, you will have problems determining what the results actually apply to afterwards. 

Example: How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the service and information you receive from Company AS? 

The example asks about both information and service. The question should rather be about only one of the items.