Tips for survey data analysis

Online surveys are a great way to gather opinions from people. Whether trying to understand customer preferences or employee satisfaction, analyzing survey results can help you make better decisions.

If you’ve recently conducted a survey or are planning one, and are wondering how to make sense of your collected data, here’s a simple guide to help you get started.

Use a data visualization tool

Visuals like bar graphs or pie charts can make survey data easier to understand. Bar graphs are great for comparing different options (like single-punch and multi-punch answers), while pie charts show how a whole is divided into parts. Most online market research tools offer in-platform, easy-to-use data visualization for the most common question types.

Identify data trends

Look for patterns or trends in your data. Are there any consistent preferences or opinions? Do specific demographics (like age groups or genders) have different views? Data trends can give insights into what’s important to your survey participants and help you tailor your decisions accordingly. Filters are a valuable tool for reviewing in-depth data for specific demographics.

Compare subgroups

If you collected information about different groups of people, compare their responses. For example, if you have both existing customers and non-customers in your survey, comparing the data for each subgroup can help you understand if there are differences in opinions between these groups. It might also highlight areas where you must improve or target your efforts. The Make Opinion platform offers a visual side-by-side compare mode, so you can easily understand various groups’ perceptions and opinions.

Read open-ended responses

If your survey included open-ended questions (where participants could write their answers), take time to read through these responses. While they might be more challenging to quantify than multiple-punch questions, they can provide valuable insights that add depth to your analysis.

Conclude and take action

Based on your analyzed data, write down conclusions about your survey participants’ trends, preferences, and opinions. These conclusions should be supported by the data you’ve collected. For instance, most people prefer online shopping based on the high percentage of respondents who indicated this preference.

Analyzing survey results is about finding meaningful information that can drive positive changes in your strategy. By following these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to making informed decisions based on the opinions of the people you surveyed.