Breakout: Creative Survey Design: Crafting Survey Instruments to Meet Your Library’s Research and Evaluation Needs
Surveys in libraries are often seen as essential methods for collecting data about services, programming, and community needs. But while libraries recognize the benefits of utilizing surveys for their research and evaluation needs, most struggle to fully realize the potential of their surveys for collecting high quality data. Good survey design is an artform, a craft that can be developed through practice. This session will focus on the principles of survey design and development, with an eye towards creating surveys designed to address a variety of library needs. Participants will develop an understanding of the basics of survey design, from initial question development to cognitive interviewing and piloting. This session will equip participants with the ability to identify and apply best practices and principles of survey design, offering opportunities for direct application through hands-on and paired practice.
Session Learning Outcomes
- Understand the value of good survey design for library research and evaluation
- Recognize the principles of good survey design and apply those principles to previously created surveys
- Develop surveys that align with best practices and principles of good survey design
- Practice cognitive interviewing to assist in the development of wellcrafted surveys