How to design an online survey
The internet is an accessible research tool for most people. You might be able to use the internet in
school, at home or even on your mobile phone or tablet. You can even design surveys which are
displayed as an ‘app’. Because of its ready accessibility, it’s also a very quick way to gather
information to meet the standards for Added Value in Modern Studies.
Step 1 - Find an appropriate online survey tool
There are many different companies which offer online survey applications. You should be careful,
however, that the survey template you choose to use is free of charge. Some examples include:
 Survey Monkey
 A Google Docs spreadsheet program which allows participants to fill in options.
 http://www.esurveyspro.com/free-online-survey.aspx
Step 2 - Sign-up for an account with the host that you choose.
SurveyMonkey.com will be used to continue this example. You will need to create a user name and
password as well as fill in pertinent information.
Click the "Create Survey" button in the top right corner of your landing page once you have
successfully completed set-up.5
Choose to create a new survey from scratch, or decide on one of the many template options
available.6
Step 3: Begin to set-up your survey
Create a title – for example, Crime & Law in Scotland
Select a category – for example, education
You can choose to select a prior existing survey – via copying an existing survey, or via use of an expert
survey template, or you can choose to create your own
Step 4: Design your survey
If you Choose to design your own survey, Survey Monkey has its own ‘Question Builder’ which can
allow you to select the question stem best suited to your needs.
1. You can start adding questions by clicking the "Add Question" button.
2. Use the drop-down menu to select a question type. In SurveyMonkey.com you can choose
single answer closed end, multiple answer closed end, open ended comment boxes and
more.
3. Choose a format display option from the next drop-down menu.
4. Begin to author your question.
5. In the answer box, type out your answers on separate lines in order for the software to pick
up and distinguish between responses.
6. Add additional pages and questions as needed.
Step 5: preview your survey
When you have finished creating your survey, select the "Collect Responses" tab when you are to distribute it.
You can create a link to send to your friends, have SurveyMonkey.com email it to your friends or even add it to
your website / distribute via Facebook.
Step 6: Collect Results and Analyse Data
Once you have received a suitable number of responses from which you are able to draw conclusions, you
should be able to access all the data required through your survey monkey account. The following link
demonstrates how to analyse surveymonkey results:
http://help.surveymonkey.com/articles/en_US/kb/How-to-analyze-results