It is important to keep your audience in mind when creating your survey.
If your survey is easy to understand, accessible and quick to complete, this will help you reach a diverse range of people and make your findings more representative.
Languages
Is English the first language of the audience you want to hear from? If not, think about translating your survey into other languages.
Consider producing an Easy Read version for people with a learning disability or low literacy.
Top tips for working with people with learning disabilities
Plain English
Write in plain English and limit jargon and acronyms.
Where it’s unavoidable to use them, ensure they’re clearly explained each time they are used. Most online survey platforms allow you to add notes to questions, to help people understand them.
Different formats
Some people may need your survey in a different or specialist format. Invite your audience to ask for information in a way that works for them, and offer alternative formats to people who request them.
Blind and visually impaired people often use software to read content online. If your survey is online, get advice from a specialist organisation to ensure that it’s compatible with this software.
If someone is unable to communicate verbally or in writing, think about other ways you could take their views.