Survey projects are essentially lengthy voter identification efforts.
Survey Projects: Tips for Minimizing ErrorsThese projects can involve an unlimited number of questions, making it easy to introduce errors. Here are some helpful tips to minimize mistakes:
Skip Logic
Skip logic is a crucial feature in survey projects. It allows you to direct respondents to specific questions based on their previous answers. For example:
Will you support Bob Ross for Congress?
- Yes: Go to Q3
- No: Go to Q2
- Maybe: Go to Q2
- Refused: Go to Close
Knowing this, can we count on your support for Bob Ross?
- Yes: Go to Q3
- No: Go to Close
- Refused: Go to Close
Great! Would you be willing to donate to the Bob Ross campaign?
- Yes: Go to Close
- No: Go to Close
Pay close attention to the client's script to ensure you properly implement skip logic. Missing a skip logic instruction can skew the survey results, upsetting the client.
Script Editing
COS's script editor makes it easy to set up and edit survey questions. When initially creating the script, keep track of which question you're on, as it can be time-consuming. Also, be aware that the client's script may state a certain number of questions, but the actual script could have more.
For example, a script may have only 3 numbered questions, but question 2 could contain a list of candidate names that each require an individual response. In this case, the 3-question script is actually a 7-question survey.
The "Go To" function in the COS editor is very helpful when the client sends a revised script. You can quickly navigate to the specific question that needs updating, make the changes, and move on to the next.