How to Analyze Survey Data in Excel?

Ah, survey data – the lifeblood of statistical analysis. It’s like a treasure trove of insights waiting to be unearthed and admired.

The numbers tell what people think, or at least what they’re willing to admit.

But let’s face it, analyzing survey data can be like staring into a black hole. Overwhelming, confusing, and occasionally terrifying.

Fear not.

With a bit of guidance, you can navigate the survey data abyss and emerge victorious. Armed with insights and a newfound appreciation for statistical analysis.

Let me tell you a little story to illustrate my point. A group of researchers once conducted a survey to gather data on people’s attitudes toward pineapple on pizza. They ended up with a mountain of responses and had no idea how to analyze the survey data. That is, until they armed themselves with the right tools and embarked on their journey.

They emerged, triumphant, with a clear understanding of the nation’s stance on this divisive topping.

What Is Survey Data?

Do you want to know what makes people tick without resorting to mind-reading or telepathy?

Survey data is the answer.

Survey data is information gathered from a group of people using a structured questionnaire or interview. It is crucial for comprehending and forecasting behavioral patterns. Furthermore, it helps with product development, policy-making, and decision-making.

Types of Survey Data

Survey data comes in various forms, each tailored to specific research needs and objectives. The data type depends on the nature of the survey questions being asked.

Nominal Data

Nominal data is a type of survey data that categorizes responses into discrete, non-ordered categories. Each response is assigned to a specific category without any inherent ranking or order. Examples of nominal data include gender, ethnicity, and marital status.

Ordinal Data

Ordinal data is another type of survey data that categorizes responses according to the significance level. Unlike nominal data, ordinal data provides information about the relative magnitude or direction of differences between categories. Examples include rankings and ratings of items.

Interval Data

Interval data is numerical data where the intervals between the values are equal. You can measure and compare the difference between two values. Examples of interval data include temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit, IQ scores, and dates. It is important to note that interval data has no true zero point.

Ratio Data

Ratio data is a type of quantitative data that has a true zero point. This represents an absence of the measured variable. It allows for precise values comparisons and for performing mathematical operations. Examples of ratio data include height, weight, distance, and time.

Multiple-Choice data

Multiple-choice data is categorical data where respondents select one option from a list of predefined choices. This data is commonly used in surveys, exams, and questionnaires. Each option is mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive. Therefore, every possible response falls into one and only one category and all possible responses are accounted for.

Open-Ended Data

Open-ended data refers to qualitative data that is collected through open-ended questions. Or prompts that allow respondents to provide detailed and unrestricted answers. It is typically subjective and unstructured and can include descriptive narratives, opinions, and personal experiences.

Likert Scale data

Likert Scale data asks respondents to rate their level of agreement or disagreement with a statement on a scale. Responses have an inherent order, but their intervals may not be equal. It helps with exploring attitudes, opinions, and behaviors.

How to Present Survey Data?

Collecting data is not enough; you must effectively present it to be useful. The presentation of survey data can significantly impact its interpretation and conclusions. Here are the modes of effective survey data presentation.

Graphs and Charts

Graphs and charts are effective ways to present survey data that is numerical. Bar graphs, line graphs, and pie charts are commonly used to display survey data.

Infographics

Infographics are visual representations of survey data designed to convey complex information engagingly. You can use infographics to display survey data in a creative and visually appealing manner.

Videos & Animations

Videos and animations are powerful tools that allow for engaging and interactive data presentation. You can use them to explain complex survey data and provide valuable insights.

Spreadsheets

Spreadsheets are common when presenting and analyzing numerical survey data. You can use them to create tables and charts that present your data clearly and concisely.

Interactive Clickable Results

Users can interact with the data thanks to the interactive clickable results. They allow users to dig further into the survey’s findings and glean insights at their leisure.

Effective Ways to Analyze Survey Data

It can be overwhelming to determine where to start and how to make sense of it all. Here are effective ways to help you analyze survey data:

Identify Patterns and Trends

You can accomplish this using statistical techniques like regression and correlation analyses. It aids in the discovery of recurring themes and patterns in the responses. As a result, it offers insights into the preferences and habits of the target audience.

Conduct a Comparative Analysis

Comparing results from various groups, such as demographic groups or consumer segments, is required here. It makes it easier to spot the differences and similarities between their preferences and habits.

Conduct a Sentiment Analysis

Sentiment analysis involves analyzing the responses to open-ended questions. You can do this using natural language processing techniques. This analysis reveals the emotional tone of survey responses. Consequently, provide insights into the target audience’s attitudes and opinions toward specific topics.

How to Analyze Survey Data Using an Online Survey Tool?

Are you sick of trying to make sense of survey responses by staring at endless rows of data?

Worry no more.

ChartExpo is here to save the day – and probably your eyes from going cross-eyed.

This nifty Excel add-in takes the boring out of data analysis. Then turns it into a colorful and interactive experience that will impress even the most skeptical stakeholder.

With ChartExpo, you can effortlessly perform data analysis by creating insightful charts and graphs.

Benefits of Using ChartExpo

• ChartExpo enables you to create insightful charts and graphs without any coding expertise. Its user-friendly interface streamlines the entire process, minimizing effort and maximizing productivity.
• ChartExpo allows you to create bespoke visualizations embodying your brand’s style and character.
• For just $10 per month, you can access this potent data visualization tool. Additionally, you can try out its features with its free 7-day trial before committing to the paid plan.

How to Install ChartExpo in Excel?

1. Open your Excel application.
2. Open the worksheet and click on the “Insert” menu.
3. You’ll see the “My Apps”.
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.

ChartExpo charts and graphs are available both in Google Sheets and Microsoft Excel. Please use the following CTA’s to install the tool of your choice and create beautiful visualizations in a few clicks in your favorite tool.

Let’s use this employee training survey example to learn how to analyze survey data. This is a post-training survey that consists of the following questions;

• Was the training hall and environment suitable enough?
• Was the training material and content helpful to you?
• Was the trainer engaging and supportive?
• Was the training at a comfortable pace?

The respondents provide an answer to each question using the response options below;

1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Neither agree nor disagree
4. Agree
5. Strongly Agree

Let’s say the survey yields the results table below.

Follow through as I show you how to analyze survey data using ChartExpo for Excel.

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

1. • Select ChartExpo and click the “Insert” button.

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

1. • 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 Disagree=1

Disagree=2

Neither agree nor disagree=3

Agree=4

Strongly Agree=5

Once all is set, click the “Create Chart” button.

1. • ChartExpo will generate the visualization below for you.

1. • Click the “Edit Chart” button to modify your chart.
   • Click the pencil icon next to 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.

1. • 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.

1. • Click the “Save Changes” button to persist the changes.

1. • Your final chart will appear as below.

Insights

The analysis of survey results reveals that;

• 50% of employees found the pace of the training session to be good. 35% agreed with it, and 15% remained neutral.
• 65% found the trainer to be supportive, 25% were dissatisfied, and 10% did not provide an answer.
• Regarding the training content, 45% of the employees found it helpful. 40% were not satisfied, and 15% remained neutral.
• 70% agreed that the training hall was comfortable, 20% disagreed, and 10% remained neutral.
• 58% of the employees responded positively to the survey questions
• 29% gave negative responses.
• 13% remained neutral.

FAQs:

How do you Analyze data from a survey?

Use ChartExpo for Excel to analyze survey data effectively. You can create engaging and insightful charts and graphs using ChartExpo. These visualizations will help you better scrutinize your survey data and present your findings to others.

What are the four main steps of survey data analysis?

The four main steps in the analysis of survey data include the following:

• Data cleaning to look for inaccuracies.
• Data exploration to find trends and correlations.
• Data analysis for hypothesis testing.
• Reporting and communicating results.

What is the best way to present survey data?

There are various ways of presenting survey data. The best way depends on the type of data and the audience. Graphs and charts are effective for numerical data, while infographics are effective for complex data.

Wrap Up:

The world is full of data. Collecting, interpreting, and using survey data is key to analytics success. It’s important to remember that no two people are alike. Their individual preferences will impact their likelihood of completing a survey, consequently, how they respond to questions.

Furthermore, that particular survey may not be the right tool to capture their true sentiments and attitudes. That said, you need sound survey results analysis methods.

How to analyze survey data may seem like an incredibly complex process, but you can simplify it. The right data analysis and visualization tool can help you make sense of the survey data. Consequently, get insights from it, and use it to make informed business decisions.

What better tool to use than ChartExpo for Excel?

ChartExpo takes data analysis and makes it fun, easy, and interactive. You can use ChartExpo to analyze just about any data set. Then convey insights in an engaging and entertaining way while also creating a sense of touch and context.

The best part?

It’s affordable and requires no coding or technical skills to use.