Tips for Online Surveys Tips for Online Surveys 51 Don’t make people have to tell you ƈliesƉ Too often we ask people questions they can’t answer. For example, a survey asked physicians the following question: ȊHow many of your patients are following the American Heart Association exercise program?ȋ These physicians don’t know what their patients are doing. Source: Kelsy Saulsbury, Schwan's Shared Services, IIeX NA 2017 Instead, ask physicians a question they can answer: Make sure people can give their opinion or choose not to give an opinion if your question is not relevant to them. ȊOf the last 10 patients you have seen, for how many did you People want to give you their honest opinion, so don't make recommend the American Heart Association exercise program?ȋ them Ȋlieȋ to you. Here is one more example: ȊDo you plan to travel by air in the next 30 days?ȋ o Yes o No FURTHER READING SUGGESTED BY P2SAMPLE: What if people don’t know if they will travel by air in the next 30 days? Their answer choice, ȊDon’t knowȋ is not on the list.  SNAP SURVEYS: Include All Valid Response Options in Survey Questions  SSI: Nine Ways to Avoid Bad Questionnaire Design David Harris, author of The Complete Guide to Writing Questionnaires: How to Get Better Information for Better Decisions © 2017 GRBN Participant Engagement Handbook | 130 © 2017 GRBN Participant Engagement Handbook | 131