Surveys and questionnaires are commonly used in design research to collect data from respondents about their attitudes, experiences, or opinions. They can be used to collect both quantitative and qualitative information.

A survey is a research method where you collect and analyze data from a group of people, while a questionnaire is a specific tool or instrument for collecting this data. Designing a questionnaire means creating valid and reliable questions that address your research objectives, placing them in a useful order, and selecting an appropriate method for administration. However, designing a questionnaire is only one component of survey research. Survey research also involves defining the population you’re interested in, choosing an appropriate sampling method, administering questionnaires, data cleansing and analysis, and interpretation..

Questionnaires can be self-administered or researcher-administered. Self-administered questionnaires are more common because they are easy to implement and inexpensive, but researcher-administered questionnaires allow for deeper insights. Self-administered questionnaires can be delivered online or in paper-and-pen formats, in person or through mail. All questions are standardized so that all respondents receive the same questions with identical wording.

When designing a questionnaire, you should consider the language and readability of your questions. Avoid jargon or overly complex language, and don’t use double negatives as they can be harder to understand. The first step of designing a questionnaire is determining your aims. Once you’ve specified your research aims, you can operationalize your variables of interest into questionnaire items.

In the context of product design, surveys let teams gather valuable insights they can use to generate user-centric product design ideas and prioritize the decisions that will boost conversions, customer satisfaction, and user engagement. They can be an effective way for product teams to gather a '30,000-foot view' of their users.

When designing your survey or questionnaire, it's important to define your population and sample, decide on the format and mode of delivery, and consider the types of questions you will use. You should also order and group the questions logically to avoid confusion. Finally, test and refine the survey or questionnaire by pilot-testing with a small sample of your population and soliciting feedback from experts or peers.

In conclusion, surveys and questionnaires are critical tools in design research. They allow for the collection of valuable data that can inform design decisions and improve product or service offerings. When designing a questionnaire, it's crucial to consider the target audience, the type and format of questions, and the administration method to ensure the collected data is reliable and valid.

Survey Example regarding Web Design:

A survey on web design could focus on various elements such as the website's aesthetics, functionality, navigation, and content. Here's an example of how you could structure such a survey:

1. Overall impression:

• How would you rate the overall design of our website?
  • Excellent
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor

2. Aesthetics:

• How would you rate the visual appeal of our website?
  • Excellent
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor

3. Navigation:

• How easy was it to find the information you were looking for on our website?
  • Very easy
  • Somewhat easy
  • Neither easy nor difficult
  • Somewhat difficult
  • Very difficult

4. Content:

• How would you rate the quality of the content on our website?
  • Excellent
  • Good
  • Fair
  • Poor

5. Functionality:

• Did you encounter any issues while using our website? If yes, please specify.

6. Suggestions: