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Home > Blog > Surveys

Top 15 Types of Survey Methods: A Comprehensive Guide

Surveys play a crucial role in gathering information, and various types of surveys cater to specific needs across fields such as academia, business, and social sciences.

types of survey

Survey data can help you retain the best talent, drive more profits”¦and grow your market share. Understanding the nuances of survey design is crucial for anyone seeking to extract meaningful information from participants.

Before we dive into the specific types, it’s essential to understand the fundamental categories that surveys fall into. Broadly, surveys can be categorized into two main types: Questionnaire Surveys and Interview Surveys.

Questionnaire surveys involve participants responding to a set of predefined questions, often distributed on paper or electronically. On the other hand, interview surveys entail direct interaction between the surveyor and the participant, allowing for more in-depth responses.

In this blog, you’ll learn:

Table of Contents:

  1. What are the Different Types of Surveys?
  2. Why Use Different Survey Types?
  3. Top 15 Most Common Types of Surveys
    1. Online Surveys
    2. Panel Surveys
    3. Kiosk Surveys
    4. Telephonic Surveys
    5. Pop-up Surveys
    6. Paper Surveys
    7. Intercept Surveys
    8. Mobile App Surveys
    9. Postal Surveys
    10. Mail Surveys
    11. One-to-One Interviews
    12. Embedded Surveys
    13. Post-Call Surveys
    14. Focus Group Surveys
    15. Social Media Surveys
  4. How to Explore Different Types of Surveys?
  5. Video Tutorial
  6. Pros & Cons of Different Types of Survey
  7. How to Choose the Perfect Type of Survey?
  8. FAQs About Types of Survey
  9. Wrap Up

Before jumping into the listicle, we’ll address the question: what is a survey type?

What are the Different Types of Surveys?

Definition: Survey type refers to the method you can use to conduct the survey. A survey comprises questions that aim to extract specific data from a particular group.

You can conduct a survey by phone, mail, via the Internet, etc. The tool can help you to assess thoughts, opinions, and feelings.

Psychologists and sociologists use surveys to assess behaviors. In other sectors, such as advertising and finance, surveys are widely used to probe the deeply felt needs of consumers (audiences).

In medical and surgical fields, surveys are critical in gathering data to improve medical outcomes and drive patient-led intervention.

So, what is survey data?

Survey data is the information you get from a target audience (or a group).

This data is usually about a specific topic or theme. There are multiple methods of gathering data via a survey.

However, most seasoned visualization gurus use freemium tools like Google and Microsoft Forms to collect survey data faster.

It gets better.

These survey-based applications are free and shareable via website embeds and social media.

In the ensuing section, we’ll address the following question: what are the main survey research methods?

Why Use Different Survey Types?

There are several reasons why survey research is conducted:

  • Gather information

Surveys facilitate survey data collection on opinions, attitudes, behaviors, preferences, and characteristics. This data offers valuable insights across diverse topics, aiding in understanding various phenomena.

  • Measure trends and changes

Surveys allow for measuring trends and changes over time. You can track shifts in public opinion, market trends, or societal attitudes by conducting surveys periodically.

  • Decision-making

Survey research provides valuable data that can inform decision-making processes. Organizations, businesses, and policymakers use survey findings to guide strategies, develop products, improve services, or shape public policies.

  • Assess needs and satisfaction

Surveys help assess the needs and satisfaction levels of customers, employees, or the general population. This information is crucial for identifying areas of improvement and enhancing overall satisfaction.

  • Predict and forecast

You can use surveys to predict or forecast future outcomes. You can identify patterns and trends in the data indicative of future behaviors or trends.

  • Academic research

Surveys are widely used to investigate hypotheses, test theories, and contribute to scientific knowledge. They provide a structured and systematic approach to gathering data for analysis.

  • Public opinion research

Surveys gauge public opinion on politics, social matters, healthcare analytics, and more. This information helps policymakers understand the public’s sentiments and decide accordingly.

Top 15 Most Common Types of Surveys

The main types of surveys are as follows:

  1. Online Surveys
  2. Panel Surveys
  3. Kiosk Surveys
  4. Telephonic Surveys
  5. Pop-up Surveys
  6. Paper Surveys
  7. Intercept Surveys
  8. Mobile App Surveys
  9. Mail-in Surveys / Postal Surveys
  10. Mail Surveys
  11. In-person surveys/One-to-One interviews
  12. Embedded Surveys
  13. Post-Call Surveys
  14. Focus Group Surveys
  15. Social Media Surveys

Let’s discuss the types of surveys in detail:

  • Online Surveys

Online surveys are digital questionnaires distributed via email, websites, or social media. They are widely used due to their convenience and cost-effectiveness, allowing participants to respond at their convenience from any location.

types of survey 1
  • Panel Surveys

Panel surveys involve collecting data from a group of pre-selected respondents over some time. These surveys are effective for understanding changes in behavior or opinions over time.

types of survey 2
  • Kiosk Surveys

Kiosk surveys are set up in physical locations, typically in malls, airports, or stores. Respondents can use touchscreen devices to provide immediate feedback on services or products.

types of survey 3
  • Telephonic Surveys

Telephonic surveys are conducted over the phone, where an interviewer asks the respondent questions. They are particularly useful when seeking detailed responses or for targeting specific demographics.

types of survey 4
  • Pop-up Surveys

Pop-up surveys appear on websites or applications while a user is browsing. These are commonly used for gathering real-time feedback on user experience and website performance.

types of survey 5
  • Paper Surveys

Paper surveys are traditional questionnaires distributed in physical form. They are effective in locations with limited internet access and are still used in various industries like healthcare and education.

types of survey 6
  • Intercept Surveys

Intercept surveys are conducted in person by intercepting people in public places, such as malls or events. These surveys capture immediate reactions to products, services, or experiences.

types of survey 7
  • Mobile App Surveys

Mobile app surveys are conducted through applications on smartphones. These are particularly useful for gathering feedback from users on the go, offering flexibility and convenience.

types of survey 8
  • Mail-in Surveys / Postal Surveys

Mail-in surveys are sent to respondents via postal services. Participants fill out the survey and return it by mail. These surveys are effective for reaching a broader, often less tech-savvy audience.

types of survey 9
  • Mail Surveys

Mail surveys are similar to postal surveys but focus on receiving feedback through electronic or physical mailing lists. These are commonly used for long-form feedback where respondents need time to provide detailed answers.

types of survey 10
  • In-Person Surveys/One-to-One Interviews

In-person surveys or one-on-one interviews involve a personal interaction between the interviewer and the respondent. These surveys provide deeper insights and allow for follow-up questions, making them ideal for qualitative research.

types of survey 11
  • Embedded Surveys

Embedded surveys are integrated into a website, app, or email content, allowing respondents to answer directly without leaving the page. This makes it easier to gather quick feedback without disrupting the user experience.

types of survey 12
  • Post-Call Surveys

Post-call surveys are conducted immediately after a customer service call. These surveys measure the customer’s satisfaction with the interaction and the resolution provided.

types of survey 13
  • Focus Group Surveys

Focus group surveys involve gathering feedback from a group of individuals, typically in a moderated discussion. This method is used to gain insights into collective opinions or attitudes toward products or services.

types of survey 14
  • Social Media Surveys

Social media surveys are conducted through platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. These surveys are excellent for targeting specific audiences and engaging with a broad user base in a casual, interactive format.

types of survey 15

How to Explore Different Types of Surveys?

Google Sheets is one of the spreadsheet applications you can use to store, organize, and analyze data.

However, it lacks visualizations designed purposely to visualize survey data, such as the CSAT Score Bar and Sentiment Trend Charts.

We’re not advising you to do away with it. There’s an add-on you can easily install in your Google Sheets to access survey-based visualizations.

The application is called ChartExpo.

What is ChartExpo?

ChartExpo is an add-on you can easily install in your Microsoft Google Sheets to access charts for visualizing survey questions.

Features and Benefits

  • ChartExpo is inexpensive compared to other applications. It only costs $10 per month to access survey-based charts for your data stories.
  • You don’t need design or programming skills to generate ready-made charts in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel for your stories.
  • The survey-based application has a super-friendly dashboard to save you time.

This section will use one of the top 5 types of survey graphs to visualize the tabular data below.

Let’s dive in.

Questions Scale Responses
The friendliness of teaching staff. 0 4
The friendliness of teaching staff. 1 7
The friendliness of teaching staff. 2 3
The friendliness of teaching staff. 3 8
The friendliness of teaching staff. 4 5
The friendliness of teaching staff. 5 9
The friendliness of teaching staff. 6 11
The friendliness of teaching staff. 7 5
The friendliness of teaching staff. 8 7
The friendliness of teaching staff. 9 25
The friendliness of teaching staff. 10 27
The approachability of teaching staff. 0 3
The approachability of teaching staff. 1 7
The approachability of teaching staff. 2 2
The approachability of teaching staff. 3 9
The approachability of teaching staff. 4 4
The approachability of teaching staff. 5 6
The approachability of teaching staff. 6 12
The approachability of teaching staff. 7 3
The approachability of teaching staff. 8 6
The approachability of teaching staff. 9 27
The approachability of teaching staff. 10 31
The concern shown when you have a problem. 0 7
The concern shown when you have a problem. 1 8
The concern shown when you have a problem. 2 6
The concern shown when you have a problem. 3 14
The concern shown when you have a problem. 4 9
The concern shown when you have a problem. 5 13
The concern shown when you have a problem. 6 9
The concern shown when you have a problem. 7 14
The concern shown when you have a problem. 8 11
The concern shown when you have a problem. 9 15
The concern shown when you have a problem. 10 8
The competence of staff. 0 5
The competence of staff. 1 16
The competence of staff. 2 8
The competence of staff. 3 13
The competence of staff. 4 13
The competence of staff. 5 6
The competence of staff. 6 10
The competence of staff. 7 6
The competence of staff. 8 6
The competence of staff. 9 14
The competence of staff. 10 15
The availability of staff. 0 1
The availability of staff. 1 3
The availability of staff. 2 2
The availability of staff. 3 5
The availability of staff. 4 8
The availability of staff. 5 1
The availability of staff. 6 7
The availability of staff. 7 8
The availability of staff. 8 7
The availability of staff. 9 27
The availability of staff. 10 39
  • To get started with ChartExpo, head to the Extension button > Chart, Graphs & Visualizations by ChartExpo > Open.
open chartexpo in google sheets
  • Click the Add New Chart button to access your fully stocked library of charts.
add new chart in google sheets
  • Then, scroll through the numerous chart templates until you see the CSAT Score Bar Chart.
search csat score bar chart in google sheets
  • Select the sheet holding your data and select the Metrics option. Fill in the numerical numbers (in this scenario, we’ll fill in Responses).
  • Select the Dimensions button and fill in the dimensional data (in our example, we’ll use Questions and Scales).
  • Click the Create Chart button, as shown.
types of survey graph CSAT Score Chart ce173
  • Check out the final chart below.
types of survey graphs

Insights

From this CSAT Score Bar Chart, you can identify how students viewed your organization.

  • 5% of your students enjoy the friendliness of the teaching staff.
  • 14% of your students enjoy the approachability of teaching staff.
  • 37% of students indicated that the staff is competent.

In the coming section, we’ll learn how to present survey results with the help of a video tutorial.

Video Tutorial

In the following video, you will learn how to visualize and present survey results with the help of one of the best survey graphs.

In the coming section, we’ll address the following question: what are the main objectives of a survey?

You don’t want to miss this.

Pros & Cons of Different Types of Survey

Pros:

Quantitative Surveys:

  • Objective: Quantitative surveys provide numerical data, allowing for statistical analysis and precise measurements.
  • Efficiency: They can be administered to large samples efficiently, making them ideal for gathering data from a wide audience.
  • Standardization: Questions are typically structured and standardized, ensuring consistency in responses.

Subjective Surveys:

  • Depth: Qualitative surveys offer rich insights into participants’ attitudes, perceptions, and experiences, providing a deeper understanding of complex issues.
  • Flexibility: They allow for open-ended questions and probing follow-ups, enabling respondents to express themselves freely.
  • Contextual Understanding: Qualitative surveys capture nuanced information about the context and emotions surrounding a topic.

Online Surveys:

  • Accessibility: Online surveys are convenient and accessible to participants, as they can be completed from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: They often involve lower costs compared to traditional methods, such as paper surveys or phone interviews.
  • Data Accuracy: Online surveys can minimize errors in data entry and analysis through automated data collection and validation mechanisms.

Phone Surveys:

  • Personalization: Phone surveys offer a personal touch, allowing interviewers to establish rapport with respondents and clarify any questions in real time.
  • Reach: They can reach respondents who may not have internet access or prefer verbal communication over written surveys.
  • Immediate Feedback: Phone surveys provide immediate feedback, enabling researchers to adapt questions or probe further based on respondents’ responses.

Cons:

Quantitative Surveys:

  • Lack of Depth: Quantitative surveys may oversimplify complex issues and fail to capture the nuances of participants’ perspectives.
  • Limited Context: They often focus on predefined variables, neglecting the broader context or underlying reasons behind respondents’ answers.

Subjective Surveys:

  • Time-Consuming: Qualitative surveys require more time and resources for data collection, transcription, and analysis compared to quantitative methods.
  • Subjectivity: Interpretation of qualitative data is subjective and may vary depending on the researcher’s biases and perspectives.

Online Surveys:

  • Sample Bias: Online surveys may suffer from sample bias, as they exclude individuals without internet access or who are less tech-savvy.
  • Response Rate: They often experience lower response rates compared to other methods, leading to potential non-response bias.

Phone Surveys:

  • Intrusiveness: Phone surveys can be perceived as intrusive, leading to reluctance or refusal to participate, especially during inconvenient times.
  • Limited Reach: They may have limited reach among certain demographic groups, such as younger individuals who prefer digital communication channels.

How to Choose the Perfect Type of Survey?

Research Objectives Alignment:

Ensure that the chosen survey method, whether it’s a longitudinal survey or another type, aligns closely with your research objectives and the insights you aim to gather. Whether you’re seeking quantitative data for statistical analysis or qualitative insights for in-depth understanding, the survey method should cater to your specific research goals.

Target Audience Accessibility:

Consider the accessibility of your target audience to the survey method. Choose a method that accommodates the preferences and characteristics of your audience, including their technological literacy, language proficiency, and availability.

Resource and Time Constraints:

Evaluate the resources available for conducting the survey, including budget, time, and personnel. Opt for a survey method that maximizes efficiency and cost-effectiveness while meeting the research requirements within the specified timeframe.

Level of Interaction Needed:

Determine the desired level of interaction with respondents based on the complexity of the research questions and the depth of insights required. Select a survey method that allows for the appropriate level of interaction, whether it’s through face-to-face interviews, online surveys, or focus groups.

Balance Between Reach and Accuracy:

Strike a balance between the reach of the survey and the accuracy of the data collected. Consider the trade-offs between broader reach and deeper insights when choosing between survey methods. Ensure that the chosen method optimizes both reach and accuracy based on the research objectives and constraints.

FAQs About Types of Survey

What are the four main types of online surveys?

  1. Web Surveys
  2. Email Surveys
  3. Mobile Surveys
  4. Social Media Surveys

What are the two main forms of the survey?

The two main forms of surveys are:

  1. Interview Surveys: These involve direct interaction between the interviewer and the respondent. Interviews can be conducted face-to-face, over the phone, or through video calls. They allow for detailed questioning, clarification, and rapport-building.
  2. Self-Administered Surveys: These are completed by respondents without direct interaction with an interviewer, often facilitated through self-service analytics platforms. They can be distributed through various channels such as online forms, email, mail, or mobile apps. Self-administered surveys offer anonymity, convenience, and cost-effectiveness but may lack clarification opportunities.

What is the most common type of survey?

The most common type of survey is the web survey, conducted online through websites or survey platforms. It’s widely used for its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and ability to reach a large audience quickly.

Web surveys offer flexible design and administration, various question formats, and targeted demographic options. They efficiently collect and analyze data, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making.

Wrap Up

To create compelling survey data stories, you need charts designed purposely for that.

Why?

A dense spreadsheet of survey responses probably isn’t the best way to sell your points or push a recommendation.

Besides, Microsoft PowerPoint slides with just a few data points are unlikely to persuade some of your more analytical stakeholders.

This is where survey-oriented charts come in. You can use these charts as backdrops for your data stories.

Some of the survey-based charts we recommend include:

  1. Likert Scale Chart
  2. CSAT Score Bar Chart
  3. CSAT Score Chart
  4. Customer Satisfaction Chart
  5. Sentiment Trend Chart

Google Sheets lacks charts (mentioned above) for visualizing survey data.

We’re not advising you to do away with the Google Sheets.

So, what’s the solution?

We recommend you install an add-on, such as ChartExpo, to access survey-based charts.

Net Promoter, NPS, NPS Prism and many other terms related to NPS are registered trademarks of Bain & Company Inc., Satmetrix Systems Inc., and Fred Reichheld.

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