How can you design a survey for community outreach evaluation?

2 Choose your sample and method

The next step is to decide who and how you will survey. You need to define your target population and select a representative sample of your participants. You can use different sampling methods, such as random, stratified, cluster, or convenience sampling, depending on your resources, time, and objectives. You also need to choose the best method to administer your survey, such as online, phone, mail, or face-to-face. You should consider the advantages and disadvantages of each method, as well as the preferences and accessibility of your respondents. For example, online surveys may be cheaper and faster, but they may exclude people who do not have internet access or digital skills. Face-to-face surveys may be more personal and interactive, but they may be more costly and time-consuming.

3 Design your questions and format

When designing your survey questions, you should ensure that they are simple and clear, avoiding leading or biased language. Closed-ended questions with predefined response options, such as yes/no, multiple choice, or Likert scales should be used as much as possible for ease of analysis. Open-ended questions should be used sparingly to capture more detailed or nuanced opinions. Skip logic or branching can be used to direct respondents to relevant questions based on their previous answers. Additionally, the questions should be ordered logically and consistently, starting with general and easy questions and ending with more specific and sensitive ones. Before launching your survey, it is important to test your questions with a pilot group of respondents. In terms of format and layout, the font, color, size, and spacing of your text should be considered, as well as the number and type of response options, the use of images or graphics, and the length and appearance of your survey. Overall, you should aim to make your survey visually appealing, user-friendly, and easy to complete.

4 Distribute your survey and collect data

When designing your survey, you need to distribute it to your sample and collect the data. You should use the method you have chosen in the previous step, and adhere to ethical and practical guidelines, such as obtaining informed consent from respondents. It is also beneficial to provide incentives or rewards, like gift cards or vouchers, to increase motivation and participation. Additionally, remind or follow up with respondents via email, phone, or social media to encourage them to complete the survey. Finally, monitor and track your response rate and data quality through online tools or software to ensure you have enough valid data for your analysis.