Update in 2025: I no longer recommend this book. See Why I no longer recommend how to lie with statistics Surveys are all about getting numeric data, and then reporting on it. What points do you want to make withContinue reading… Book review: How to Lie with Statistics – not recommended
Category: Articles
Do incentives help to improve response rate?
Why do people fill in surveys? Did you answer: “Because they’re hoping to win the prize in the draw that’s offered”? No? I thought not. And of course, you’re right, but there is some evidence that incentives can work. I’mContinue reading… Do incentives help to improve response rate?
Book review: The Psychology of Survey Response
This month, I’ve been working on a chapter on survey questions for my forthcoming book on Surveys That Work. It has meant revisiting my library of books about questions. My favourite, easily, is: “The Psychology of Survey Response” by Roger Tourangeau, LanceContinue reading… Book review: The Psychology of Survey Response
2010 in 46 surveys: too many
I take a lot of screenshots: websites in general, forms specifically, and of course surveys. Those specific to a project go into particular folders; the rest are filed by year. Today I was hunting through for inspiration for the chapterContinue reading… 2010 in 46 surveys: too many
Asking questions about internet behaviour
Have you read Steve Krug’s newest book, Rocket Surgery Made Easy: The Do-It-Yourself Guide to Finding and Fixing Usability Problems? I was honoured when Steve asked me to read it in manuscript form, but – just between you and me – IContinue reading… Asking questions about internet behaviour
Surveys in the news: Valentine’s Day
It was a familiar type of email, and one that I’d usually just delete, but in the interests of the Surveys that Work book I’m writing I opened it. “Valentine’s Day Romance Survey Results” from Fresh Flowers and Gifts in Australia.Continue reading… Surveys in the news: Valentine’s Day
SUS: a good enough usability questionnaire
One challenge of survey design is whether to use an existing questionnaire, or roll-your-own, or do some sort of hybrid. One of the best-known usability questionnaires is SUS. Is it good enough? I’m going to start by mentioning the advantages andContinue reading… SUS: a good enough usability questionnaire
Book review: Internet, Mail, and Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method
Before I ever considered writing a book on surveys myself, I tried my best to read as much as I could about how people respond to being asked questions – a topic that is central to designing better forms too.Continue reading… Book review: Internet, Mail, and Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method
Top five books about forms design – 2010
Added note in 2025: It’s still possible to find all these books. I’ve updated the links to them and put a bit of context into them. It’s December, and we’re coming up to the gift-giving season. In case you wantContinue reading… Top five books about forms design – 2010
Label placement in Austrian forms, with some lessons for English forms
Here’s a topic that divides UX professionals from ordinary people: label placement in forms. UX professionals get all excited about it, and I plead guilty to joining the discussion. I’ve written about it, included it in my book Forms ThatContinue reading… Label placement in Austrian forms, with some lessons for English forms