Know-how:

The paper-pencil method

The introduction of a paper questionnaire was a milestone in market research. Where previously high personnel and time costs had to be invested in conducting face-to-face interviews, the paper-pencil method offered significantly higher efficiency: The answer options could be standardised and thus made comparable – and the processing effort was completely transferred to the respondent, at least for the time required to complete the form. The influence of the interviewer, which no longer existed, led to a better observation of anonymity. This ensured that even questions of a sensitive nature were answered more readily. And finally, the wide radius of distribution by standard mail was trend-setting.

The concept development and the process of a survey on paper is usually effected in the following steps:

• Questionnaire design in terms of content: All process participants develop a questionnaire that meets the survey goals and is easy to process.
• Creation of the questionnaire print template: The completed questionnaire is adapted to the layout of the corporate identity and finalised as a print template.
• Wording of the letter of invitation: To encourage participation, a cover letter is prepared, which is also designed in accordance with the corporate identity and corporate design of the company.
• Print: The cover letter and the questionnaire can be printed internally or handed over to an appropriate service provider for printing. If replies are to be sent by standard mail, a reply envelope is also required.
• Field phase: The questionnaires will be completed and collected within a certain period of time.
• Evaluation: The questionnaires are digitised. The results are then prepared and evaluated externally or internally according to the company’s specifications.

You can easily counter these risks by conducting an employee survey:

Install a kind of polling station in your company for the duration of the survey. In a separate room, the employees can complete the questionnaire undisturbed and for themselves during working hours and eventually anonymously cast it into a suitable closed container. It is advisable to appoint a works council representative to supervise the project, who will ensure that each employee only receives one questionnaire, and who will be available to answer any questions that may arise during the process.