Improving Survey Questions: Design and Evaluation

Applied Social Research Methods #38

by Floyd J. Fowler Jr.

What is a good question? Although there are several potential sources for error in survey data, the validity of surveys is dependent upon the design of the question asked. This invaluable book shows how to word and format questions that will evoke the kind of answers for which they are designed and how to evaluate empirically survey questions. In addition, the book covers how to write good questions aimed at collecting information about objective facts and events, measuring subjective phenomena, some alternative methods for attacking common measurement problems, how to evaluate the extent to which questions are consistently understood and administered, and how to evaluate the data resulting from a set of questions.

Genres: Reference, Research Methods

200 pages, Paperback

First published July 21, 1995

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read two of the chapters... but definitely interested in reading more when the time comes.

[Grant Weaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredibly dry and tedious. It made me realize that I never want to do survey research design... or anything like unto it for a career.

[Lauretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

excellent, concise, and written by a giant in the field of survey development