Know-How Exchange : Research/Metrics

As a general rule, ask for responses back within 2 weeks at the most, 1 week for online. If you are surveying B2B in particular, you want to have the survey available for an entire business week at the least, because people tend to be away on business. For consumers, make sure you are in the field at least over one weekend.

Also, be aware that sometimes the reponses you get back first are those that are either very satisfied and very dissatisfied, with people in the middle sometimes lagging. So you may want to take all the responses you get, even if they are post-deadline.

Also, not only should you promise that info will not be shared outside the company, but more importantly, you want to assure each respondent that their responses will be kept confidential, and that none of their answers will be tied back to the individual. Usually, just telling them that their responses will be kept completely confidential is enough. However, and this is really important, you have to really follow through on this. Sometimes internal execs will want to contact a person about their response, but this should never be done - all responses should be reported in aggregate form only. The only exception is if the respondent specifically says that they want an answer back regarding their individual issue.

Good luck!

Joy

You can ask about the industry as a question, as well as department and title - not crazy at all! You can put them at the end (as you suggested) in a separate section, and preface that section by telling repondents that the questions are for classification only. I suggest doing these as close-ended questions, it will be easier and less expensive to code and tabulate (of course, leaving an option for "Other", with a request for clarification). Your check box idea is also fine, but be sure to let them know that this is optional only.

As far as days of the week, you just want to make sure you are in the field for a full week (B2B) - I'm assuming this is your target. I'm not sure that the initial field date really matters, although maybe others are of a different opinion.

Joy