Conducting Surveys

Surveys are a popular instrument for collecting information in many Management Analysis and Development (MAD) projects. A major advantage is their cost-effectiveness: surveys can collect representative information about a large population through a small sample of the population's members. Surveys can collect information that might not be available elsewhere. Surveys can also confirm or complement data collected through interviews and focus groups.

MAD consultants can assist organizations through all steps of the survey process, including:

• Developing a survey plan and designing questions that will provide useful, actionable information;
• Determining the right approach for the survey: web, mail, or phone;
• Designing and administering surveys by hosting them on our secure survey website, subcontracting telephone surveys with trusted vendors, or distributing paper questionnaires;
• Receiving and tabulating the results, analyzing the data, and reporting the findings (either in summary form or as raw data, depending on the client's preference);
• Acting as a neutral third party so survey respondents know their identities will not be revealed.

MAD's clients have used survey results to make decisions about changes to internal operations, services, and policies; to collect information on demographics, attitudes, opinions, and values; to gauge demand for services and willingness to pay; and to evaluate services and programs.