# Survey design: questions, piloting and response quality

Decision workbook and teaching example · 2026-10-06

The completed case is fictional. Its values and decisions are not actual findings; complete your project using relevant permissions, methods and requirements.

- Project: ____________________
- Researcher and role: ____________________
- Date and version: ____________________
- Data seen before the decision: ____________________
- Aim and scope: ____________________

## Completed example

| Stage/decision | Example | Check or action |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Construct | Teaching satisfaction separate from facilities | One concept per item? |
| Timeframe | Four weeks in the behaviour example | Compatible with recall? |
| Options | Range and non-applicability where justified | Do real answers fit? |
| Pilot | Meaning, branching and mobile display | Are changes logged? |
| Version | Actual wording and order | Does analysis use this version? |

## Complete your own record

| Topic | Actual decision and reason | Evidence link and status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Construct | __________ | __________ |
| Timeframe | __________ | __________ |
| Options | __________ | __________ |
| Pilot | __________ | __________ |
| Version | __________ | __________ |

## Completion checks

- [ ] Create a construct/item map, pilot record and final questionnaire version.

## Changes and limitations

| Date | Change | Data known at decision time | Reason | Consequence for claim | Reviewer |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |

## Sources and further reading

- [Pew Research Center — Writing Survey Questions](https://www.pewresearch.org/writing-survey-questions/)
- [CASP — Critical appraisal checklists](https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/)

Related guide: https://didgar-research-site1.vercel.app/en/guides/survey-design/