Designing Your Survey

Survey research is a powerful way for you to gather feedback from students and make data-driven decisions that improve their experience. To ensure surveys are impactful and engaging, here are a few best practices to keep in mind:

Know Your “Why”
Start with a clear purpose. What do you need to learn, and how will you use the data? Keep questions aligned with that goal.

Keep It Short and Sweet
People are more likely to finish a survey if it’s quick and to the point. Think of it as a well-organized conversation rather than an essay exam.

Test Before You Send
Run your survey by a small test group. This helps catch unclear wording, tech hiccups, or anything else that might trip up respondents.

Creating Effective Survey Questions

---

Be Clear and Specific
Write questions that are easy to understand, avoiding jargon or vague language. For example, instead of “How do you feel about campus dining?” ask, “How satisfied or dissatisfied are you with the variety of food options on campus?”

Keep It Neutral
Avoid leading questions that push respondents toward a certain answer. Instead of “Don’t you love our new programs?” try “How would you rate your satisfaction with our new programs?”

Balance Your Answer Choices
Offer a full range of response options (e.g., very satisfied to very dissatisfied) and include a “Unsure” or “Not applicable” choice when relevant.

Stick to One Idea at a Time
Avoid double-barreled questions like “How do you feel about the campus dining and recreation facilities?” Split them into two separate questions, or work with CRAFT on how to maximize the information collected in a single question by exploring different question types.

Include an NPS Question
A Net Promoter Score (NPS) question, such as “How likely are you to recommend [service/event] to a friend or peer?” provides a simple yet powerful way to gauge overall satisfaction and loyalty. Pair this with an open-ended follow-up question to capture the "why" behind the score.

Sharing Results

---

Turn Data Into Stories
Numbers are great, but people love stories. Pair your data with visuals and insights that connect to real-life impact.

Tailor for Your Audience
Share results in different ways for different groups. Some stakeholders may want key takeaways, while others may prefer quick visuals and infographics.

Make It Count
Use what you’ve learned to improve programs and show participants how their feedback made a difference. Including next steps based on data collected is also a great way to show utilization of your newly collected insights.

When done right, surveys aren’t just tools - they are opportunities to make meaningful changes. By keeping the process clear, concise, and engaging, we can create a better experience for students at Stony Brook University.