5. Develop Surveys for Different Purposes
5.0 Introduction
As emphasized earlier in Section 2.4.5 Project the type of data you need before designing survey items, it is critical to determine the type of data you need before designing your survey questionnaire.
You conduct surveys to gather information you do not already know. In your L&D, HRD, OD, or PI practice, you may use surveys to solicit information at various stages of a project:
- Before implementing a program (e.g., during a performance analysis),
- During the development of a program (e.g., as part of an instructional design project), or
- After a program has been implemented (e.g., during an evaluation project).
Each of these purposes calls for different types of survey questions and corresponding response scales. As discussed in the previous chapter, factual information may require different response scales than questions that measure perceived quality or value.
Learning Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
- Explain the importance of identifying the purpose of a survey before designing it
- Recognize survey types used to collect data for evaluation projects
- Recognize survey types used to collect data for during performance analysis (needs assessment) projects
- Recognize survey types used to collect data for instructional design projects
