There are several main approaches to the survey types, and the one that is based on the data properties is extremely helpful. According to this approach, data obtained as a result of research can be quantitative or qualitative. The first can be grouped and measured with numbers, while the latter needs comprehension related to narrative and discourse analysis.

When the data obtained in the survey is mainly quantitative, it is called a quantitative survey. It provides a reliable source of information as you can measure the percentage of answers, compare them to previous periods, and plan in advance.

Breaking Down the Different Types of Quantitative Survey Questions

Commonly used quantitative questions can be divided into main types, like descriptive, comparative, and relationship questions. Descriptive questions aimed to gather data about the quantity of something. They usually start with the words “How much…” or “How long…” For example, you may ask how much your customers usually spend on food per day.

Comparative questions help to examine the difference between two or more things. For example, you may ask your respondents to tell which product is better. You may also ask to range your competitors by the quality of their performance.

Relationship questions provide you with information about a causal relationship, and reasons for behaviour, and allow you to identify and predict trends. For example, you may ask what your clients think about the relation between the level of income and restaurants’ attendance. Or you may inquire about the influence of currency depreciation on buying behaviour.

The Key Is to Know How to Design Quantitative Survey Questions

The mentioned three types of quantitative questions are good to start with, but you may search for other types on the internet. This is the first step in the elaboration of quantitative survey questions – you have to choose the type of questions. Always remember that the type of the questions is directly related to the survey results.

After you choose the type it is time to pick up the variables or answer options. They may be related to names, order, intervals, or values. For example, you may suppose how often a customer buys your product: once a day, once a week, once a month, or never.

Additionally, you should maintain the proper structure, order, and sequence of the answer options within a question. If you ask respondents about the number of products they would like to buy you can’t put it like “2, 0, 1, 4”, you rather do it like this: “0, 1, 2, 3”.

The final point of the creation and arrangement of the quantitative questions is the selection of the appropriate tone and form to provide easy and rapid comprehension of what you demand from the respondents. This is the mastering of the quantitative question after which people can understand and pick an answer option without remorse.