Creating an Online Survey for Open-Ended Responses: A Guide

Online surveys have become an indispensable tool for gathering valuable feedback and insights from your target audience. One of the most versatile types of questions in a survey is the open-ended question. Unlike multiple-choice questions, open-ended questions allow participants to provide detailed, verbatim responses. This article will guide you through the process of creating an online survey where participants can type in their choices, using popular survey tools.

Why Use Open-Ended Questions?

Open-ended questions offer several advantages over closed-ended questions. They provide greater depth and context, allowing respondents to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences in their own words. This can lead to richer data and more meaningful insights. Moreover, open-ended questions are versatile and can be applied to a wide range of topics, making them a valuable tool for research and marketing.

Popular Survey Software Tools for Open-Ended Responses

Pretty much any survey software tool, from SurveyMonkey onwards, allows you to create verbatim or open-ended text questions. These platforms offer a range of features designed to help you design, distribute, and analyze your survey effectively. Let's explore how to create such a survey using two of the most popular tools: SurveyMonkey and Google Forms.

Using SurveyMonkey

Step 1: Sign Up

If you don't already have an account, create a free account on SurveyMonkey. This will give you access to their intuitive user interface and a wide range of features.

Step 2: Create a New Survey

Once logged in, click on the ‘Create’ button and select ‘Survey.’ Follow the prompts to start your survey. In the question editor, locate the option for 'Text' or 'Open-ended' questions. This allows you to write your question and gather detailed responses from your participants.

Step 3: Design Your Survey

Use SurveyMonkey's built-in question types, such as multiple choice, ratings, and text fields, to design a comprehensive survey. For an open-ended question, simply select the 'Text' question type and provide your question.

Step 4: Publish Your Survey

After designing your survey, make sure to review it for accuracy and clarity. Once everything is set, click on the 'Publish' button to make your survey live. Share the link with your participants via email, social media, or other communication channels.

Using Google Forms

Google Forms is a free tool that comes with Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) accounts. If you don’t have a Google account, you can still create one for free.

Step 1: Create a New Form

Log in to Google Forms and click on the ' ' button to create a new form. Give your form a title and description to make it stand out.

Step 2: Add an Open-Ended Question

In the question editor, click on the ‘ ’ button to add a question. Select ‘Short answer’ for an open-ended question. This will allow participants to type in their responses.

Step 3: Customize Your Form

Use the various design options in Google Forms to customize your form. You can add images, questions, and other elements to make it more engaging and informative.

Step 4: Send Your Form

Once your form is ready, click on the ‘Send’ button to share it with your participants. You can choose from various methods to distribute the form, including sharing the link through email or integrating it into your website.

Best Practices for Administering Open-Ended Surveys

Capturing verbatim responses is just the first step. To ensure you get high-quality data, consider the following best practices:

Clear Instructions: Provide clear and concise instructions for your participants to make sure they understand how to respond. This helps ensure the quality and consistency of responses.

Encourage Detailed Responses: Encourage participants to provide detailed and honest responses. You might even offer incentives to encourage more detailed responses.

Analyze Responsibly: Use natural language processing (NLP) tools to analyze large amounts of text data. Tools like R, Python, or specialized survey analysis software can help you extract meaningful insights.

Ensure Anonymity: Promote a safe and anonymous environment to encourage honest and candid responses. This will help you get more authentic feedback.

Conclusion

Creating an online survey where participants can type in their choices is a highly effective way to gather detailed and insightful responses. Whether you choose SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, or another platform, remember to design your survey carefully and ensure that you provide clear instructions and incentives for detailed responses.