Each survey question, when carefully crafted, can be a powerful tool to leverage when you need information from staff, students, or other stakeholders. Asking what individuals need, when they are best able to engage, and what they are thinking about is a major step toward building strong relationships and increasing engagement. As we know, engagement is a critical lever to boost outcomes.
You may want to ask about communication, academic support, a recent event, or other areas. Getting this feedback can be intimidating—but you can succeed in fostering engagement!
What Should Be Included in a Survey?
When deciding on the questions to ask, first, you will want to consider what decisions you need to make with the information, and how specifically you will use the answers. Some organizations use annual surveys that take 15-20 minutes to complete and include dozens of questions. At Possip, we offer this through our Long Form or Strategic Surveys. Questions may cover a variety of topics including impressions about the overall environment, reflections on events, thoughts on academic preparation, barriers, and needs, as well as ideas and questions.
We’ve found that simply asking if individuals are satisfied with their experience, what ideas or feedback they have, and one additional custom question (we call it a Bonus Question) can yield incredible data. We call these Pulse Checks®. With short and simple surveys, people are more likely to respond and even more likely to complete the entire survey. They also get used to the regularity (weekly, biweekly, monthly, etc.), and if they know the organization is responsive to their feedback, individuals will consistently use the quick survey to voice their opinions. Short and simple surveys are also easier to translate into multiple languages accurately, helping to engage and include a wider range of participants.
What Is an Example of a Good Survey Question?
One key decision you’ll want to make is whether to ask an open-ended question or a closed-ended one, where you provide the answer choices. When deciding between an open-ended or closed-ended question, it can be helpful to think about what you want to learn and the nuances of each question type:
– Do you want to explore a topic and generate a list of ideas or praise? If so, using an open-ended question will give you a lot of feedback and ideas.
Open-ended questions allow you to explore, and you may learn more than you expected. People may share feedback or ideas that you didn’t anticipate. This can be beneficial in helping you learn more about a topic.
To be effective with open-ended questions, you’ll want to ensure your question wording is very clear so that the answers provided serve your needs.
– Do you need input on specific options or choices? Are there only certain answers that are feasible or relevant to your decision? In this case, a closed-ended question that includes predefined answer options is best.
Since closed-ended questions ask people to select from a list of predefined responses, you won’t end up with answers you weren’t expecting. Responses will be consistent and relevant to the question.
Do you want a quantitative analysis? Closed-ended questions with a list of options or Yes/No answers are the most appropriate for a quick and clear analysis—a graph of your results at both a local and organizational level.
In some cases, Possip can help you get a quantitative analysis, even from an open-ended question. If you’re interested in exploring this option, reach out to our support team for guidance on quantifying open-ended input.
Example Survey Questions
Survey Questions for the Beginning of the Year
Sample questions to ask in the first month of the term:
- Do you have the resources you need to succeed this year? Yes or No? If No, please tell us more about your needs.
- Do you feel you received enough communication to start the year? Yes, Mostly, or No.
- Please share one thing that made you feel excited to start the year.
- Please share something specific that had a positive impact on you during the first few weeks of the term. (e.g., extracurriculars, classes, registration, staff, etc.)
- How do you prefer to receive communication? Please choose one: 1) Text 2) Email 3) Social Media 4) Newsletter 5) Robocall
- We’re planning events for the year. Please reply with the event you’re most interested in. (List your potential events here, e.g., 1) Welcome BBQ 2) Game Night, etc.)
Survey Questions for Academic Support & Curriculum
Sample questions about curriculum, grades, and academic support:
- What types of academic support would you like to see this year? Please select all that apply: 1) Tutoring 2) Advanced work 3) Small group support 4) Homework help 5) Other
- What academic goals do you have for yourself or your team this year?
- Are you able to clearly understand your academic progress (e.g., assignments, grades, attendance) using the available tools? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No.
- Do you contact your instructors when you have concerns about academic progress? Please reply: Yes, Sometimes, or No.
- Do you feel informed about your academic progress? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No.
- Do you feel the system supports your academic needs effectively?
- What resources do you need to support learning outside of the classroom? Please select your top choice: 1) Tips for learning at home 2) Tutoring 3) Tools for standardized test preparation 4) Emotional support 5) Other
- Are you satisfied with the amount and quality of homework assigned? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No.
- How do you feel about the amount of technology used in your academic environment? Please reply: 1) Too much 2) Too little 3) Just enough
Survey Questions for Attendance
Sample questions about barriers to attendance:
- Attendance every day is critical. Do you have any barriers preventing you from attending regularly?
- Are you concerned about your attendance? Please reply: Yes or No. If yes, please let us know why.
- Do you have any barriers to attending regularly? Please reply: Yes or No. If yes, please select your top barrier: 1) Health 2) Transportation 3) Language barriers 4) Other
- Would any of the following help encourage you to attend regularly? Please reply with all that apply: 1) Transportation assistance 2) Language support 3) Breakfast services 4) More extracurricular activities 5) Emotional-support services
- What motivates you to attend? Please reply with all that apply: 1) Social opportunities 2) Teachers/Staff 3) Course content 4) Extracurriculars 5) Other
Survey Questions for Transportation
Sample questions about transportation experiences:
- Are you satisfied with the current transportation services? Please reply: Yes or No. If no, please explain.
- Is our transportation system operating safely and efficiently? Please reply: Yes or No. If no, please share suggestions.
- Have you noticed improvements in the transportation system since the beginning of the year? Please reply: Yes or No, and explain why.
Survey Questions for Registration and Enrollment
Sample questions to assist with registration and enrollment:
- Will you be enrolling for the upcoming year? Please reply: Yes, Maybe, No, or Graduating.
- How would you rate your experience with the registration process? 1) Very easy 2) Somewhat easy 3) Somewhat hard 4) Very hard 5) Other – please specify.
Survey Questions for Gathering Praise
- What is one specific way you have grown academically or personally this year? 1) Organizational skills, 2) Study habits, 3) Academic progress, 4) Time management, 5) Other
- What is one specific way you have felt recognized this year? 1) Email praise, 2) Award ceremony, 3) Certificate of recognition, 4) Honors list, 5) Other
- What is something specific that had a positive impact on you during the first few weeks of the year? 1) Teacher support, 2) Peer interactions, 3) Classroom environment, 4) Extracurricular activities, 5) Other
Survey Questions for Staff Appreciation
- What do you like most about your experience at this institution? 1) Community atmosphere 2) Academic opportunities 3) Support for personal development 4) Teachers and staff 5) Extracurricular offerings 6) Other
- Do you feel that your instructors engage you well in class? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No. If Yes, what do they do well?
- Are there specific programs you believe have been beneficial to your progress? (Option to include a list of programs offered)
Survey Questions for Communication
Sample questions about communication with staff and about grades:
- Are you satisfied with the communication you receive from your instructors? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No.
- Did you attend the recent conferences? Please reply: Yes or No. If no, please let us know why.
- Do you find it easy to contact your instructors when needed? Please reply: Yes, Mostly, or No.
Survey Questions for Community Engagement
Sample questions to ask about engagement in your community:
- Do you feel a part of the community here? Please reply: Yes, Maybe, or No, and share why.
- What type of information sessions or activities would you like to see in the future?
- What feedback do you have for our recent event?
- Are there any barriers preventing you from attending our events? Please select all that apply: 1) Transportation 2) Language 3) Work 4) Time conflicts 5) Other.
The Possip team is ready to help you ask effective survey questions. We’ll do the heavy lifting of analyzing the results for you so you can focus on how you’re going to use this valuable information!
