Scales

Instrument Design

How many items should I have? - Summary of research on length/response rate. (PDF)

Primer on using tables to layout your items. (Word)

Respondent Friendly Design

The way a survey looks has an effect on whether respondents will complete it or not. The survey should be attractive and easy to complete. The instructions should be clear and avoid confusing the respondent about what is being asked or how to answer the questions. The survey should include plenty of white space and avoid looking dense or imposing. Below, compare the dense formatting on the left with the two page version utilizing plenty of white space.

EX:

Too Dense	More white space w/two pages

Avoid the following poor design characteristics:

Multi-step or complicated designs
Asking respondents to provide the same information twice
Long, complicated, and perhaps contradictory instructions
Different graphics on two sides of the form resulting in some people being confused on where to start answering
The requirement to use a particular type of pencil
A row X column format that requires matching rows and columns to provide a appropriate answers (Dillman et. al, 1993).

Group items that use a common type of scale (e.g., Likert)
This can make a survey much shorter, easier to answer, and more attractive.

Example: Avoid separate scales for each question.

1. To what degree has this course caused you to think deeply about the core issues of the class?
Not at All	Somewhat	Quite a bit	Very much
2. To what extent has this class impacted your overall understanding of the physical or social world?
Not at All	Somewhat	Quite a bit	Very much

3. To what extent has this class impacted how you approach your own education?
Not at All	Somewhat	Quite a bit	Very much

Combine the scales where possible (see Table workshop for easy formatting information)

	Not at all	Somewhat	Quite a bit	Very Much
To what degree has this course caused you to think deeply about the core issues of the class?	1	2	3	4
To what extent has this class impacted your overall understanding of the physical or social world?	1	2	3	4
To what extent has this class impacted how you approach your own education	1	2	3	4