How to write good survey questions for your thesis

Good survey questions for a thesis are based on your theoretical framework, clearly formulated and mostly closed. Start with a clear introduction, use general questions before specific ones, include a ‘not applicable’ option where relevant, and apply a Likert scale for attitude measurement. A well-designed questionnaire improves both the reliability and validity of your research.

How do you come up with good survey questions for your thesis? A good survey ensures that you get reliable answers to your research questions. On this page, we provide you with a checklist and practical tips on how to write good survey questions. If you want to learn more about creating a good method and the reasoning behind it (such as the number of required respondents) then check out our method page.

Would you like some help writing the survey questions for your thesis? Contact Topscriptie for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Before you write your survey questions: a good introduction

It is important to start your survey with an introduction and any necessary instructions, so that the respondent knows what to expect. Make sure to include the exact text of the introduction in your thesis (for example, as an appendix). In the introduction, you can indicate the following:

Indicate the duration of time to complete the survey (try to keep it short if possible: research shows that many respondents drop off when faced with a long list of questions)
Provide a good reason for why a respondent should participate in this research (relevance and importance of the research)
Who you are and what the subject is
Describe whether the results will be processed anonymously: for the reliability of your survey, it is important to protect the privacy and confidentiality of respondents as much as possible; only ask relevant socio-demographic questions and try to store your data set anonymously
Thank them in advance for participating
If necessary, include an instruction explaining how to fill out the questions: the more detailed the instructions, the more consistent the measurement will be

A clear and well-structured survey introduction sets the tone for your entire questionnaire thesis and increases the response rate significantly.

What is important when writing survey questions for your thesis? A checklist

Below, we provide a checklist with the 10 most important tips to consider when writing good survey questions for your thesis.

1. Base your survey questions on theory

This is a very important point, so first finish your literature study! It is tempting to come up with your survey questions first, but you can only create a reliable and valid survey when you base it on your theoretical framework. In addition to designing your own survey, it is advisable to choose an existing validated questionnaire from theory where possible. The advantage is that such a questionnaire has already been tested for reliability and validity. Be careful though: you cannot simply adjust a validated questionnaire. The choice between a custom questionnaire or an existing one depends on your subject.

2. Keep your target group and research questions in mind

Formulate survey questions with the target group and your research questions in mind. Keep the questions simply formulated and avoid double negatives. For example, avoid the statement: “I am not always prepared for new situations.” It is better to leave out the word “not” to avoid confusion.

3. Ask mostly closed questions, not too many open questions

Closed questions are easier to analyze in SPSS or other analysis programs. Many respondents will type very little text in open questions. It is sometimes interesting to ask an open question when you want to know unknown underlying reasons or motives, but use them sparingly.

4. Include a ‘not applicable’ answer category

Often the answer category ‘not applicable’ is forgotten when certain questions are asked. Try to include this when possible: it will prevent respondents from just filling in something arbitrary, which would harm the reliability of your survey.

5. Ask general questions first, then specific questions

Try to ask general questions first and then move to specific questions. For example, first ask about the general impression of the store and then specifically about the shopping experience (such as the expertise of the employees). This structure helps respondents ease into the topic and gives you more reliable answers.

6. Use a Likert scale for measuring opinions

When you want to know the opinion of a respondent on certain statements, using a Likert scale is a strong choice. A Likert scale has been proven to be a very reliable, commonly used method in many studies and is easy to fill in. Usually a 5-point scale is used, from completely agree (1) to completely disagree (5). However, various studies have indicated that a 7-point Likert scale leads to more accuracy, especially in online surveys. If you have asked several survey questions with Likert scale answer categories, you can often perform interesting analyses.

Using a Likert scale thesis is particularly useful for quantitative research where you want to measure attitudes, perceptions or levels of agreement across a larger group of respondents.

Common mistakes when writing survey questions for a thesis

Even well-intentioned survey questions can introduce bias or confusion. Here are the most common mistakes students make when designing their questionnaire thesis and how to avoid them:

Double-barreled questions: asking two things at once (“Do you find the course useful and enjoyable?”). Split these into two separate questions
Leading questions: phrasing that steers the respondent toward a particular answer (“Don’t you think this policy is unfair?”)
Double negatives: questions such as “I am not always unprepared” cause confusion and unreliable responses
Too many open questions: these are difficult to analyze and often result in low-quality responses; use them sparingly
Forgetting the ‘not applicable’ option: this forces respondents to give an answer that does not reflect their actual situation
Not basing questions on theory: writing survey questions before finishing your literature review leads to a questionnaire that lacks reliability and validity

Avoiding these mistakes significantly improves the quality and reliability of your survey questions thesis.

Frequently asked questions about survey questions for a thesis

How many survey questions should a thesis questionnaire have?

There is no fixed number, but research consistently shows that response rates drop significantly when a survey takes longer than 10 to 15 minutes to complete. As a rule of thumb, aim for 20 to 40 questions for a thesis survey. Only include questions that directly contribute to answering your research questions. Always pilot your questionnaire with a small group first to check the time needed and identify confusing items.

What is the difference between closed and open questions in a survey?

Closed questions offer a fixed set of answer options (such as multiple choice or a Likert scale) and are easy to analyze quantitatively in SPSS or similar software. Open questions allow respondents to answer in their own words and can provide rich, qualitative insights, but they are harder to analyze and respondents often type very little. For most thesis surveys, the best approach is to use mostly closed questions, with one or two open questions at the end for additional context.

Should I use a 5-point or 7-point Likert scale in my thesis?

Both are widely used and accepted in academic research. A 5-point Likert scale (from ‘completely agree’ to ‘completely disagree’) is simpler and works well for most thesis surveys. A 7-point scale provides more nuance and has been shown to produce slightly more accurate results, particularly in online surveys. The choice depends on how much granularity you need in your data. Whichever you choose, apply it consistently throughout your questionnaire thesis.

Can I use an existing validated questionnaire for my thesis?

Yes, and it is often advisable to do so. An existing validated questionnaire has already been tested for reliability and validity, which strengthens your methodology. However, you must be careful: you cannot simply adjust or translate a validated instrument without following the proper procedures, as this affects its validity. Always check whether the questionnaire is appropriate for your specific target group and research context and describe your choice thoroughly in your methodology section.

Can Topscriptie help me design my thesis survey?

Absolutely! Topscriptie has helped more than 6,000 students with their thesis, including the design of survey questions, operationalization of concepts, and analysis in SPSS. Whether you need help writing good survey questions, choosing the right scale, or analyzing your results; our experienced thesis coaches are ready to help.

Ready to write your survey questions? Start here

Writing good survey questions for your thesis becomes much easier with a clear checklist and the right preparation.

Finish your literature study before writing a single question
Write a clear survey introduction that explains purpose, anonymity and estimated time
Use mostly closed questions and a Likert scale for attitude measurement
Go from general to specific, and always include a ‘not applicable’ option
Pilot your questionnaire before distributing it

Topscriptie has helped over 6,000 students write strong, reliable survey questions for their thesis. Need personal guidance? Contact us today for a free intake and get your thesis questionnaire right the first time.