Survey vs Questionnaire: Major Key Difference

Some might think, “Isn’t a survey just a fancier word for a questionnaire?”

You might also be wondering. Was it the survey, in the boardroom, with the multiple-choice questions? Or was it the questionnaire, in the break room, with the open-ended prompts?

You have come to the right place. Here, we will exhaust the differences between surveys vs. questionnaires to help you distinguish them.

The truth is both methods have their strengths and weaknesses. However, the real winner is not in the collection of data. The winner lies in the analysis and interpretation of that data.

But fear not. You don’t need a degree in statistics to make sense of the numbers.

We have a solution – ChartExpo for Excel.

ChartExpo can transform confusing data into a work of art. Therefore, it can help you solve the mystery of your data and turn it into a valuable asset.

Before collecting data, ensure you understand the differences between survey vs. questionnaire reports. Then choose the one that best suits your needs.

After all, the game is only fun when you know the rules.

In this blog, you’ll learn the following:

Table of Content:

1. Survey vs Questionnaire: Definition
   • What is a Questionnaire?
   • What is a Survey?
2. When to Use Questionnaires vs. Surveys?
3. Importance of Surveys and Questionnaires
4. Key Differences between Surveys and Questionnaires
5. Similarities Between Surveys And Questionnaires
6. Purposes of Surveys and Questionnaires
7. Survey vs Questionnaire Examples
8. 5 Common Mistakes When Writing Surveys and Questionnaires
9. Types of Data Collected Through Survey vs. Questionnaire
10. How to Create Survey vs. Questionnaire?
    • How to Create a Survey:
    • How to Create a Questionnaire:
11. How to Analyze Survey vs. Questionnaire?
12. Tips for Creating Better Surveys And Questionnaires
13. Which One is Perfect – Survey Vs Questionnaire?
14. Survey vs. Questionnaire FAQs
15. Wrap Up

Survey vs Questionnaire: Definition

A survey and a Questionnaire are essential for effective data collection and analysis. A survey refers to the overall process of gathering and analyzing information, whereas a questionnaire is the tool or set of questions used to collect data within that process. Knowing how they differ helps in designing better research strategies and achieving more accurate results.

What is a Questionnaire?

A questionnaire is a structured set of questions for gathering information from individuals or groups. It is a common method in social sciences, market research, and other fields.

Questionnaires aim to collect specific data to analyze and draw conclusions. You can administer questionnaires in various formats, such as paper-based forms, online surveys, or interviews.

What is a Survey?

A survey is a systematic method of gathering data or opinions from a population or sample. It involves using a questionnaire or a set of questions administered to respondents to collect the data.

You can conduct surveys through online platforms, telephone interviews, paper-based forms, or face-to-face interactions. Then analyze the data to derive insights, trends, or patterns related to the survey topic or research objectives.

Video Tutorials: How to Visualize Questionnaires vs. Surveys

How to Visualize Questionnaires vs. Surveys in Excel?

How to Visualize Questionnaires vs. Surveys in Google Sheets?

How to Visualize Questionnaires vs. Surveys in Power BI?

When to Use Questionnaires vs. Surveys?

When to Use Questionnaires?

Questionnaires are best suited for scenarios where precise, quantitative data is required. They are effective in situations where respondents can provide specific and measurable information.

For instance, customer satisfaction surveys or product feedback questionnaires allow businesses to gather quantifiable data on customer experiences.

When to Choose Surveys?

Surveys, with their broader scope, are ideal when a more in-depth understanding of a topic is necessary. Surveys are commonly used in academic research or when exploring complex social issues. They allow for a mix of quantitative and qualitative data, offering a nuanced perspective.

Importance of Surveys and Questionnaires

Surveys and questionnaires play a crucial role in research and data collection for several reasons:

1. Standardized data collection: By using standardized survey instruments, you can ensure consistency in data collection across different participants or groups. Consequently, enhance the reliability and validity of the findings.
2. Large-scale data collection: Surveys and questionnaires enable you to collect data from a large number of respondents. They provide a broader perspective and enhance the generalizability of the results.
3. Cost-effectiveness: Surveys and questionnaires are often more cost-effective compared to other data collection methods like interviews or focus groups.
4. Anonymity and confidentiality: Respondents can maintain anonymity while providing honest and sensitive information, leading to more accurate data collection.
5. Efficiency and convenience: You can administer surveys and questionnaires remotely, allowing participants to respond at their convenience. This reduces logistical constraints and increases the response rates.

Key Differences between Surveys and Questionnaires

While surveys and questionnaires are related methods of data collection, there are some key differences:

1. Administration method: You can administer surveys through various methods, including online platforms, telephone interviews, face-to-face interactions, or mail. Questionnaires typically refer to written or online sets of questions that individuals respond to independently.
2. Format and structure: Surveys are typically more comprehensive and can include multiple sections or modules. Questionnaires are usually more focused and consist of structured questions that respondents answer directly.
3. Flexibility: Surveys can incorporate various data collection techniques beyond questionnaires, such as observations or experiments. Questionnaires, on the other hand, are limited to a set of structured questions.
4. Interactivity: Surveys often involve interaction between the researcher and the respondent, such as in interviews or focus groups. Contrarily, questionnaires are usually designed for one-way communication, with respondents providing written or selected responses.
5. Data collection scope: Surveys gather a broader range of data, including demographic information, opinions, attitudes, behaviors, and more. Questionnaires typically focus more on specific topics or variables of interest, collecting targeted information within a narrower scope.

Similarities Between Surveys And Questionnaires

1. Data Collection Tools: Both surveys and questionnaires are tools designed to collect information from individuals or groups, making them essential for research, feedback, or decision-making purposes.
2. Structured Format: Both follow a structured format with a series of well-organized questions, ensuring consistency in data collection and making it easier to analyze the responses.
3. Target Audience: Both are distributed to a specific group of people, such as customers, employees, or a general audience, to gather insights or opinions relevant to the study’s objectives.
4. Quantitative and Qualitative Data: Both can capture quantitative data (e.g., numerical or measurable responses) and qualitative data (e.g., open-ended or descriptive answers) to provide comprehensive insights.
5. Flexible Delivery Methods: Both can be conducted through multiple channels, such as online platforms, paper-based forms, face-to-face interviews, or telephone surveys, offering flexibility in reaching respondents.

Purposes of Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of surveys and questionnaires is to gather data and information for various purposes, including:

1. Research: Surveys and questionnaires are widely used to collect data on specific research questions or hypotheses. They help researchers gather quantitative or qualitative data to analyze and draw conclusions. Consequently, contributes to knowledge in a particular field.
2. Data collection: Surveys and questionnaires serve as tools to collect data on specific variables or factors of interest. They provide a structured approach for gathering information from a large number of participants.
3. Needs assessment: Surveys and questionnaires help assess individuals’ or groups’ needs, preferences, or opinions. They help identify gaps, issues, or areas for improvement. As a result, guiding decision-making processes in organizations, communities, or service providers.
4. Market research: Surveys and questionnaires play a crucial role in market research to gather consumer data. This information helps you understand your target market, make informed marketing decisions, and improve your offerings.
5. Feedback and evaluation: Surveys and questionnaires allow you to gather feedback from customers, clients, employees, or stakeholders. They provide insights into satisfaction levels, perceptions, experiences, or suggestions for improvement. This aids in the evaluation of programs, services, or policies.
6. Planning and decision-making: Surveys and questionnaires assist in gathering data for planning purposes. Such instances include determining the demand for a new product, identifying target audiences, or understanding community needs. The collected data inform decision-making processes and strategic initiatives.

Survey vs Questionnaire Examples

Survey Example:

A survey combines various methods (e.g., questionnaires, and interviews) to collect comprehensive data.
Example: A market research survey includes a questionnaire, interviews, and product usage observation to assess customer satisfaction.

Questionnaire Example:

A questionnaire is a set of focused questions to collect specific data, usually with closed-ended questions.
Example: A customer feedback questionnaire asks:

• “How often do you use our service?”
• “Rate the usability of our website (1-10).”

5 Common Mistakes When Writing Surveys and Questionnaires

Here are the 5 common mistakes when writing surveys and questionnaires:

1. Using Directive Questions

• Questions that imply a specific answer can lead to biased responses.
• Example: “Don’t you think our product is great?” instead of “How would you rate our product?”

2. Including Double-Barreled Questions

• Asking two things in one question can confuse respondents and lead to unclear answers.
• Example: “How satisfied are you with the price and quality of the product?”

3. Overcomplicating Language

• Using complex or technical terms can confuse respondents and reduce response accuracy.
• Fix: Keep the language simple, clear, and easy to understand.

4. Failing to Offer Balanced Answer Options

• If answer choices are unbalanced or biased, the responses won’t reflect true opinions.
• Example: Providing only positive options like “Excellent, Good, Fair” without negative options.

5. Making Surveys Too Long

• Long surveys lead to fatigue, abandonment, or rushed answers.
• Fix: Keep surveys concise and focused on essential questions.

Types of Data Collected Through Survey vs. Questionnaire

Here are the types of data collected through surveys vs. questionnaires:

1. Quantitative Data

Both surveys and questionnaires can collect quantitative data, which involves numerical values that can be measured and analyzed statistically.
Examples: Ratings on a scale (e.g., 1-5), age, income, number of purchases.

2. Qualitative Data

Both can also capture qualitative data, which is descriptive and offers insights into the experiences, opinions, or behaviors of respondents.
Examples: Open-ended responses like “What do you like most about our product?” or “How can we improve our services?”

3. Demographic Data

Both surveys and questionnaires often collect demographic information to help categorize respondents and analyze trends.
Examples: Age, gender, location, education level, occupation.

4. Behavioral Data

These tools can collect information on behaviors and actions, typically related to how respondents use a product or service.
Examples: Frequency of product use, shopping habits, or website visit frequency.

5. Attitudinal Data

Surveys and questionnaires can assess respondents’ attitudes, beliefs, or perceptions, offering valuable insights into customer satisfaction or preferences.
Examples: Likert scale ratings, opinions on a specific issue, or satisfaction with a service.

How to Create Survey vs. Questionnaire?

How to Create a Survey:

1. Define the Objective: Understand what you want to achieve (e.g., customer satisfaction, market trends).
2. Choose Your Methods: Decide on a combination of data collection methods (questionnaires, interviews, observations).
3. Design Questions: Mix quantitative (e.g., rating scales) and qualitative (e.g., open-ended) questions.
4. Pilot Test: Test the survey with a small group to ensure clarity and reliability.
5. Distribute: Share the survey via multiple channels (online, phone, in-person) to reach a broad audience.
6. Analyze Results: Compile and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data.

How to Create a Questionnaire:

1. Define the Purpose: Identify the specific information you want to collect.
2. Develop Focused Questions: Use clear and concise questions, mostly closed-ended (e.g., yes/no, multiple choice, Likert scale).
3. Organize the Flow: Start with general questions and move to more specific ones.
4. Keep it Short: Limit the number of questions to avoid respondent fatigue.
5. Pilot Test: Test the questionnaire with a small group to ensure clarity.
6. Distribute: Send out via email, online forms, or paper.

How to Analyze Survey vs. Questionnaire?

So much data, so little time. But with the right tools and techniques, you can turn that mountain of information into a concise report.

And what’s the secret to this magical transformation, you ask?

The answer is simple – ChartExpo and Excel. With ChartExpo, you can create insightful visualizations, making it easier than ever to identify trends and patterns.

So why settle for boring spreadsheets when you can spice up your data with ChartExpo?

Benefits of Using ChartExpo

• ChartExpo has a plethora of visualizations. You can choose the most suitable one for your data.
• With ChartExpo, you don’t need to be a coding wizard to create insightful visualizations. The tool’s intuitive user interface allows for effortless creation of visualizations.
• ChartExpo offers great value, with a free 7-day trial and a $10 monthly plan. This makes it an affordable and accessible option for businesses of all sizes.

How to Install ChartExpo in Excel?

1. Open your Excel application.
2. Open the worksheet and click the “Insert” menu.
3. You’ll see the “My Apps” option.
4. In the office Add-ins window, click “Store” and search for ChartExpo on my Apps Store.
5. Click the “Add” button to install ChartExpo in your Excel.

Example

Assume you run an ice cream shop and have created a customer feedback survey form with the following questions.

• How would you rate our ice cream flavors?
• What is your level of liking or disliking regarding the affordability of the price of ice cream?
• How likely are you to recommend our ice cream to your friends?

Your customers provide an answer to these questions using the response scale below.

• Strongly dislike
• Dislike
• Neither like nor dislike
• Like
• Strongly Like

Let’s say your survey yields the results below.

How would you rate our ice cream flavors?	What is your level of liking or disliking regarding the affordability of the price of ice cream?	How likely are you to recommend our ice cream to your friends?
Neither like nor dislike	Strongly Like	Like
Dislike	Like	Strongly Like
Like	Neither like nor dislike	Strongly dislike
Strongly dislike	Dislike	Neither like nor dislike
Strongly Like	Like	Like
Neither like nor dislike	Strongly Like	Dislike
Dislike	Strongly dislike	Strongly Like
Like	Strongly Like	Strongly dislike
Strongly dislike	Neither like nor dislike	Strongly Like
Like	Dislike	Strongly Like
Strongly Like	Strongly Like	Like
Neither like nor dislike	Strongly Like	Strongly Like
Dislike	Strongly dislike	Strongly Like
Like	Like	Dislike
Like	Strongly Like	Neither like nor dislike
Strongly dislike	Strongly Like	Strongly Like
Strongly Like	Strongly dislike	Like
Dislike	Like	Strongly Like
Neither like nor dislike	Neither like nor dislike	Like
Strongly dislike	Dislike	Neither like nor dislike

This table contains example data. Expect many responses and questions in real life.

• To get started with ChartExpo, install ChartExpo in Excel.
• Navigate to the INSERT menu and select My Apps. 

• Select ChartExpo and click the “Insert” button.

• Once it loads, choose the “Likert Scale Chart” from the charts list.

• Select the data from the sheet and click the “Create Chart From Selection” button.

• When you click the “Create Chart From Selection” button, you have to map responses with numbers manually. The Likert scale has this arrangement:
  • Strongly dislike=1
  • Dislike=2
  • Neither like nor dislike=3
  • Like=4
  • Strongly Like=5
• Once all is set, click the “Create Chart” button.

• ChartExpo will generate the visualization below for you.

• Click the “Edit Chart” button to modify your chart.
• Click the pencil icon next to the Chart Header to add a title.
• This will open the properties dialog.
• Add a heading in Line 1 under the Text section and enable the Show option. Then click the “Apply” button.

• Let’s say you want to add text responses instead of numbers against every emoji.
• Click the pencil icon next to the respective emoji. Expand the “Label” properties and write the required text. Then click the “Apply All” button.
• Click the “Save Changes” button to persist the changes.

• Your final chart will appear below.

Insights

• 65% of customers like to recommend your ice cream to friends. 20% dislike, and 15% remain neutral.
• 55% like regarding the affordability of the price, while 30% dislike.
• 40% like ice cream flavors, 40% do not like, and 20% remain neutral.
• Overall, 53% of customers gave a positive response, 30% gave a negative response, and 17% remained neutral.

Tips for Creating Better Surveys And Questionnaires

1. Keep Questions Clear and Concise

Make sure the questions are clear and simple to understand to prevent any confusion. Avoid jargon or complex terminology that could confuse respondents.

2. Use a Logical Flow

Organize questions in a logical sequence, grouping similar topics. Start with general questions and move to more specific ones to help maintain respondent engagement.

3. Avoid Biased or Directive Questions

Frame questions neutrally to avoid influencing respondents’ answers. This ensures you get honest, unbiased feedback.

4. Offer Balanced Answer Choices

Ensure that the answer options cover all possible responses and are balanced, especially when using Likert scales or multiple-choice questions.

5. Test Before Launching

Pilot-test your survey or questionnaire with a small group before sending it to the full audience. This helps identify potential issues and ensures clarity and effectiveness.

Which One is Perfect – Survey Vs Questionnaire?

• Choose a survey if you’re conducting comprehensive research that involves multiple data collection methods, deeper analysis, or feedback from a large, diverse group.
• Choose a questionnaire if you need to gather focused, straightforward responses quickly from a defined group, especially for simpler or smaller-scale data collection tasks.

Survey vs. Questionnaire FAQs

Which is better: a survey or a questionnaire?

Surveys encompass various data collection methods. On the other hand, questionnaires specifically refer to a structured set of questions within a survey. Their selection depends on research objectives and data collection requirements.

Can a questionnaire be used as a survey?

Yes, you can use a questionnaire as a survey. A questionnaire is a specific tool within the broader framework of a survey. It is designed to collect data through a structured set of questions.

Can I use a combination of questionnaires and surveys for a research project?

Absolutely! Combining these methods can provide a comprehensive understanding of your subject.

Wrap Up

When analyzing survey vs. questionnaire reports, it is essential to understand their distinct roles and characteristics. Surveys encompass a broader range of data collection methods. Contrarily, questionnaires specifically refer to a set of structured questions within a survey.

Survey reports are more comprehensive and multifaceted. They incorporate diverse data collection techniques such as interviews, observations, or experiments. Additionally, they provide a more holistic view of the research topic, combining quantitative and qualitative data.

Survey reports are valuable for in-depth analysis, identifying patterns, trends, and relationships, and drawing nuanced conclusions.

On the other hand, questionnaire reports focus on the findings derived from the structured set of questions. They are primarily quantitative and facilitate straightforward data analysis.

Questionnaire reports effectively summarize key findings, present statistical results, and address specific research objectives.

The key to good data analysis is having the right tools and techniques.

With ChartExpo, you can create insightful charts and make better business decisions. The best part is that you can do all this without relying on data scientists and coders.