Course Overview

Surveys appear everywhere across social, behavioral, and evaluation work. They are easy to deploy, but they are also easy to design poorly. Weak survey design can lead to low response rates, biased data, and results that do not support decision making.

This course introduces participants to the fundamentals of effective survey design. Participants will learn when surveys are appropriate, how to design them well, and how to avoid common mistakes that undermine data quality. The course emphasizes practical guidance that participants can apply directly to their own survey projects.

What You Will Learn

Participants will develop a solid understanding of survey design from planning through reporting. The course strengthens participants’ ability to decide when surveys are the right tool, design clear and effective questions, and structure surveys in ways that support meaningful analysis. Participants also learn how to identify and correct common survey errors and how to pilot surveys before full deployment to improve quality and response rates.

Course Format

This course is delivered through two virtual, interactive, instructor-led modules (or one day in-person). Participants who successfully complete both modules will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

Module Breakdown

Module 1: Survey Foundations and Development

The first module focuses on the foundations of survey design. Participants explore when to use surveys, review different types of surveys, and learn how to develop a project management plan for a survey effort. The module covers how to write strong survey questions, format them appropriately, and identify common errors that occur during survey development. Participants also learn practical strategies for correcting these errors before launching a survey.

Module 2: Survey Piloting, Analysis, and Reporting

The second module focuses on what happens after a draft survey is developed. Participants learn different methods for pilot testing surveys and review best practices for encouraging participation and improving response rates. The module examines common errors that emerge during piloting and offers strategies for addressing them. It concludes with an introduction to survey analysis and reporting, with an emphasis on best practices for presenting survey results clearly and responsibly.

Who Should Attend

This course is appropriate for:

• Researchers and evaluators who design or use surveys as part of their work
• Program managers and staff responsible for collecting feedback or monitoring results
• Professionals who want to strengthen their survey design skills and improve data quality
• Anyone who uses surveys to inform decisions, learning, or improvement

Prerequisites

No prior experience with survey design is required to participate in this course.