Surveys are a foundational method for collecting data in research, enabling insights into attitudes, behaviours, opinions, or characteristics of a specific group. Thoughtful planning and design are essential to reduce survey fatigue, ensure high response quality, and facilitate meaningful analysis. This guide takes you through the end-to-end process of developing a well-structured and ethically sound survey aligned with your research goals—from planning and designing the questionnaire to administering it and analysing the results.

It’s important to understand the distinction between a survey and a questionnaire. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of the research process.

• A survey encompasses the entire methodology used to collect and analyse data, including sampling, distribution, and analysis. 

• A questionnaire is the specific instrument or tool comprising the questions you ask to gather data.

Recognising this difference helps researchers think beyond just writing questions—it encourages them to consider the full scope of survey planning and execution.