This document will illustrate the four basic question formats and will demonstrate the potential uses of images and color in online surveys. Just about any background can be used.

When you are finished reviewing this survey, click on the "submit survey" button at the bottom to view a sample "thank-you" message (be sure to answer the final, gender, question because it is set to 'required' for this sample survey). This thank-you message is an excellent method to pass along a personalized thank-you, and you can also include web links to other sites, such as your company's web site or another site which respondents might find interesting.

Typical Introduction: We would like to thank you for taking the time to respond to this survey. For your confidentiality, we are using an outside research firm to field this survey. All responses will go directly to this firm which will protect your confidentiality by providing only generalized information. Any quotes used will be modified to eliminate any potentially identifying information, and of course, your name will not be associated with your answers in any way. If your email address is required, be assured that information will be stripped and discarded (never sold or given out) from any final data set.

Please answer the questions below as honestly as you can, then press the SUBMIT SURVEY button when you are done.

1. This example uses a 'radio button' where you can select only one option.

2. This example also uses the radio button, in a condensed format.

3. Another way to have the respondent select only one option is with the 'drop down' format.

4. This is an example of the 'check all that apply' question format. It also shows how color can be used.

How do you feel about answering online surveys? (You can choose as many or few as you like.)

5. This example illustrates the use of the open-ended 'text box' question format.

6. This example is also a text box, but fewer lines are displayed. In this and the previous examples, when the box is full, scroll bars appear. This smaller box is appropriate for short-answer questions (such as "Other - Specify").

7. Not possible with telephone surveys, respondents can be asked to evaluate a picture, perhaps a company logo, product label, or graphics associated with an advertisement.

What words come to mind when you see this picture?

Finally, this is a sample template for the 'demographics' section of the survey. Note the respondent is required to answer the final, gender, question. Any question can be made optional or required.

8. And now, a few questions for statistical purposes only. What is your age, please?

9. How many years have you lived in the state of Oregon?

10. What is the highest grade in school you had the opportunity to complete?

11. What was your total household income (before taxes) in 2001?

12. Which of the following best describes your household?

13. Do you have children living in your household that attend K-12 public schools?

14. What is your gender? (Required)

Well, it looks like that is all the questions we have for you. Thank you very much for your cooperation, and your time.