Learning patterns/Using QuickSurveys

A learning pattern forSurvey

Learning Pattern Library

Getting a sample of users

problemBest practices for Using QuickSurveys tool

solutionAsking just one question is very tricky. Here are some best practices for using question surveys

creator• EGalvez (WMF)

created on17 November, 2015

What problem does this solve?

QuickSurveys is a complicated tool technologically, but it also very complicated to ask just one question.

What is the solution?

ONLY WMF STAFF AT THIS TIME CAN USE QUICKSURVEYS

• Follow the technical guide to show you how to implement QuickSurveys.
• Use the rest of this learning pattern to learn about best practices for using QuickSurveys

When should I use QuickSurveys?

QuickSurveys can only be used by Wikimedia Foundation staff at this time. We are hoping to expand it in the near future. Currently CentralNotice Banner does not support surveys directly on a page. QuickSurveys should be used if:

• You have a specific question you need information from, either readers or editors; the question must be multiple choice
• You have enough time to develop the right question; this is a two-step process
• You would like to have users fill out a link or survey

How do I develop a question?

Decide what your goal and audience

• What is the survey for? What decision do you need to make?
• Who needs to respond to your survey? How will you reach them? If your answer to this question is everyone or a very broad range of online users, then QuickSurveys is the right choice. IF you have a specific subset of users, then you may want to consider either CentralNotice or MassMessage, or another means for reaching users.
• Use Grounded Theory to develop your specific question. This process follows a research processes called Grounded_theory. The reason for this approach is that each survey is different, and you need to know for certain what are the broad areas that someone might respond to a question. If not, then you might not end up with good data. For example, yes/no questions should never or very rarely be used to gather information through a survey.

Step 1: Create an open-ended survey

• Use a service provider, like google forms, qualtrics, or surveymonkey, to create a survey. Use QuickSurveys to Link to the survey.
• Use a very small sample; not more than 1 or 2,000 responses and qualitatively code these responses. See what is the largest categories of responses, and uses these to create a closed-response survey, or often called a multiple choice survey. Currently, QuickSurveys does not support open text fields.

Step 2: Use responses from the first survey to create close-ended survey =

• From the first survey, create a list of potential response choices to your survey question. This process