Step 3: Administer the Survey and Compile the Data
After selecting the questions that need to be on the survey, and having finalized the design with our client, we create the actual questionnaire (paper, on-line or combination), send it out and compile the data that we receive. We take extraordinary care to preserve the confidentiality and anonymity of respondents, and we go the extra mile to make sure that their intentions are reflected in the data, wherever possible. For example, if the scanner has difficulty reading a particular questionnaire, we will manually review the data and insert the answers that appear to be what the respondent intended.
On-line Survey Administration
Opinions Incorporated will host your on-line survey on our secure server. You will provide us with a list of email addresses for all participants in preparation for survey administration. We will send emails to them containing a password-encoded link to the survey site and text inviting them to take your survey. Alternatively, if you do not have email addresses for all participants, paper invitations can be provided that will contain a link to your Opinions Incorporated on-line survey website and a password.
We will keep you informed on survey participation while your survey is open. At any point during the survey administration period reminders can be sent to those who have not completed their surveys.
Paper and Pencil Administration
In situations where your survey will be conducted on-site, Opinions Incorporated will ship paper surveys directly to your locations in secure survey collection boxes. This aspect of the survey administration process ensures respondents anonymity and encourages open and honest feedback. Once the survey process has been completed, the collection box is shipped to Opinions Incorporated.
Optionally, Opinions Incorporated can provide on-site survey administration services.
When on-site administration is not possible surveys can be mailed to participants with postage-paid return envelopes.
We will be happy to share our best practices with your team and help them to customize the administration process to meet their needs.
Survey Forms
Opinions Incorporated uses custom survey forms designed for accuracy and ease of use. The participant simply fills in a small circle next to their choice of answer for each question. With these forms, we can use our scanning equipment to turn the surveys into electronic data quickly, accurately and efficiently. We obtain over 99% accuracy through this approach.
Scanning
After we have received the completed paper surveys, they will be electronically scanned. Counts of the number of surveys received will be provided to you. When a sufficient number of surveys have been turned in, processing will begin. The written comments will be typed and all of the results will be transferred into our Interactive Report Viewer™ (IRV™).
Once the surveys have been scanned, an electronic data file of the responses is produced. Following this procedure, the file is manually reviewed. Any forms that appear to have been marked incorrectly are identified, and the scanned data is compared to the form. If needed, the data is corrected to reflect the apparent intent of the participant.
Processing
The data file created from the scanned surveys is imported into the Interactive Report Viewer™ (IRV™) and merged with the data from the on-line surveys and written comments. When the IRV™ has been completely populated your Opinions Incorporated Account Manager reviews and verifies it. A copy of it is provided to any consultants who are analyzing and developing customized reports for you. Finally, a copy of the IRV™ is provided to you to enable you to do further analysis as needed.