Creating your Survey Questions

Now that you know what quantitative data is and how you can get the data, let’s explore how you can design your questions using three question types.

There are many ways to construct an item for a survey. These are three that will serve you well:

• Forced choice questions. A yes/no question can provide some helpful data, especially when asking if someone has done something or not.
• Scaled questions. To understand the degree to which an impact has happened, design an item with response options on a scale, like none, a little, some, quite a bit, and very much.
• Number questions. To get a number on a response, ask a question about a number, like “How many more times have you done something? How many more people have you contacted? How many more steps have you taken?”

Guidelines for writing your quantitative questions

These are some examples of how to turn an indicator into an item for a survey:

1. People with addictions build systems of social support

Know the importance of having positive people in their lives (know indicator) 

How much more important is it for you now than before the program to have positive people in your life?

Not at all, a little, some, quite a bit, very much.

Meet weekly with their support group (do indicator) 

Since the program started, how many weekly meetings did you miss?

Feel more comfortable talking to others about their addiction (feel indicator) 

Since being part of the program, do you feel more comfortable talking to others about your addiction? Yes/No

2. Youth develop financial literacy

Know the fundamental principles of saving and spending (know indicator) 

Through this program, how much more do you understand about saving than you used to? No more, a little more, somewhat more, quite a bit more, a lot more

Create a budget and review their spending every week (do indicator) 

Since this program, have you created a budget? Yes/No

How many times have you reviewed your budget in the past month?

Feel confident they can break the cycle of financial carelessness (feel indicator) 

Through this program, how much more confident do you feel in your ability to break the cycle of financial carelessness? Not at all, some, very much

Now that you have reviewed the design strategies, it’s time to design your own survey. Start with each of your outside-the-triangle indicators and translate them into a survey item. Then design response items for each of the questions, making sure there is congruence between the question and response. Lastly, add appropriate demographic questions, as necessary.