Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

Definitions, common uses and explanations of 1,500+ key market research terms and phrases.

What is Questionnaire design?

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Questionnaire design Definition

The process of creating a document that contains questions to be asked respondents and in what order, and sometimes lists the alternative acceptable responses..

Questionnaire design refers to the process of creating structured and effective survey questions to accurately capture respondents' attitudes, opinions, behaviors and demographic characteristics. This involves carefully crafting questions, selecting appropriate question formats, sequencing logically and ensuring clarity to yield reliable and actionable data.

What are the key characteristics of a questionnaire design?

  • Clear and concise wording.
  • Logical sequencing of questions.
  • Appropriate question types (open-ended, closed-ended, Likert scales).
  • Avoidance of bias and ambiguity.
  • Alignment with research objectives.
  • Pilot-testing for reliability and clarity.
  • Ease of respondent comprehension and participation.

Why is questionnaire design important in market research?

Effective questionnaire design ensures accurate, valid and reliable data collection. It directly impacts response rates, data quality, respondent engagement and the overall credibility of research findings, thereby enabling informed decision-making and strategy formulation.

Who relies on questionnaire design in marketing research?

Market research professionals, survey methodologists, consumer insights teams, brand and product managers, academics conducting empirical research, marketing strategists and businesses across industries depend on robust questionnaire design.

How do market researchers use questionnaire design?

Market researchers use questionnaire design to create surveys that efficiently gather precise data for understanding consumer behavior, evaluating customer satisfaction, measuring brand awareness, segmenting markets, testing new product concepts, tracking market trends and informing strategic marketing decisions.