Creating Surveys Using Google Docs
by Devon Akmon
Last Friday we wrapped up a two-day cultural competency training for the staff of our parent organization. In an effort to collect feedback, we decided to conduct a quick survey of the participants. We were faced with the usual myriad questions concerning survey construction: What to ask? When to distribute? How to distribute? Blah, blah, blah…
In the end, we decided to use Google Docs to generate the survey.
A survey using Google Docs.
This was my first time using the web-based application in this manner. If your looking for a simple solution to creating online surveys, then I suggest going this route. Here’s how simple it is to create a survey:
1. Sign in to Google Docs (or create an account).
2. Select “form” from the “Create New” drop down menu.
Create a new form.
Detail.
3. Begin constructing your questionnaire. Start by naming your survey form and provide a short description of what you are asking of the interviewees. Next, begin generating questions, which can be in the form of: text, paragraph text, multiple choice, checkboxes, choose from a list, scale and/or grid.
Create the questionnaire.
4. Once you’ve proofread the questionnaire and are happy with the questions, it’s time to distribute it to your audience. You can either send a link to the survey or embed it into a Web page.
5. Sit back and let the results come in. Responses are automatically compiled in a spreadsheet for easy review.
Survey results compiled in a spreadsheet.
6. Do you like graphs and charts? I do, especially those that are colored coordinated. Here’s what the “summary” view looks like:
Summary view of the survey results.
It’s as simple as that. I’m definitely open to learning better survey construction. If you have expert knowledge on authoring surveys, then please shoot me some pointers and/or links to great resources. Information is a two-way street.