Guidelines for Writing an Effective Survey Report

Writing a survey report requires a structured and detailed approach to ensure that the information is clear, concise, and informative. This guide will provide step-by-step instructions on how to create a well-organized and comprehensive survey report that adheres to best practices for effective communication of research findings.

Structure of the Survey Report

1. Summary and Background Information

The first section of the report should include a summary and background information. This summary should offer a concise overview of the research and include the key results, conclusions, and recommendations, while the background information should detail the objectives, context, and relevance of the survey.

Summary

Following the table of contents, write a 1-2 page summary that condenses the main points of the report. This summary should include the methodology of the survey, key results, conclusions drawn, and recommendations based on the survey findings.

Background and Objectives

State the objectives of the survey in the background section. Explain why the survey was conducted, the hypothesis, and the goals. Identify the study or target population, the variables of the study, and the purpose of the study. Supporting similar research and studies can help validate or contradict current beliefs, providing a broader context for the survey results.

Explain the Method and Results

2. Methodology Section

The methodology section should describe how the study was conducted. Detail who was surveyed, the methods used (email, telephone, website, or interviews), and the sample size. This section is crucial for readers who need to understand the survey's validity and reliability.

Survey Questions

Describe the types of questions used in the survey. Common types include multiple-choice questions and Likert scales. Include a few example questions to illustrate the general theme but avoid putting all the questions in this section. Instead, attach the questionnaire in the first appendix (Appendix A).

3. Results Section

This section should focus on presenting the results of the survey. Use statistics, sample answers, and quantitative data to report the findings. Visual representations such as graphs and charts can help make the data more comprehensible. Highlight any interesting trends or patterns in the results to help readers understand the significance of the survey.

Analyzing Your Results

4. Conclusion and Recommendations

The conclusions and recommendations section should state the implications of the survey at the beginning. Summarize key takeaway points and discuss what readers should learn from the survey. Provide recommendations for future actions, such as more research, changes to guidelines or policies, or specific actions that need to be taken by companies or institutions.

5. Appendices

Include any additional information in the appendices, such as the survey questionnaire (Appendix A) and statistical data, interviews, graphs, and glossaries of technical terms. Refer to these appendices throughout the paper to provide further details on specific sections.

Polishing Your Report

6. Title Page and Table of Contents

Add a title page and table of contents to the first two pages of the report. Ensure that the title page states the title, your name, and your institution, and the table of contents lists the page numbers for each section or heading of the report.

7. Citing Sources

Cite research according to the required style, such as APA or Chicago. Use in-text citations to include the author's name and other necessary information. Formatting should be consistent throughout the paper.

8. Objective Voice and Clear Writing

Adopt a clear and objective tone while reporting the results. Avoid editorializing the results and keep sentences concise and simple. Use straightforward language to aid understanding, and remove any unnecessary words or phrases.

9. Proofreading and Revisions

Thoroughly revise the paper before submission. Check for grammatical errors, misspellings, and typos. Ensure that the formatting is correct, including page numbers and a properly formatted table of contents. Ask someone else to proofread the report to help catch any errors that you might have missed.

Following these guidelines will help you create a well-structured, informative, and professional survey report that effectively communicates your research findings.