Screening Survey
Screening Survey is a preliminary survey conducted to select specific target respondents for a main survey. This type of survey is primarily implemented before the main survey to narrow down the appropriate participants. By using a screening survey to select respondents who meet specific criteria or standards, the accuracy and reliability of the main survey can be significantly improved.
Objectives of Screening Surveys
Confirm Eligibility of Respondents:
Select respondents who are suitable for the main survey and exclude those who are not.
Efficient Use of Resources:
Focus survey resources (time, cost, personnel, etc.) on the appropriate respondents to conduct the survey efficiently.
Improve Data Quality:
By selecting suitable respondents, improve the quality of the data and obtain reliable results.
Steps to Conduct a Screening Survey
Set Screening Criteria:
Define the characteristics of the target respondents (age, gender, occupation, income, behavior patterns, etc.) based on the main survey's objectives.
Create Survey Questions:
Develop questions to confirm the eligibility of respondents based on the set criteria. Ensure the questions are concise and clear so that respondents can provide accurate answers.
Recruit Samples:
Recruit preliminary respondents from a broad population. At this stage, it's crucial to approach as many potential respondents as possible.
Conduct the Screening Survey:
Implement the screening survey using the prepared questions. Methods include online questionnaires, telephone surveys, or interviews.
Analyze the Data:
Analyze the collected responses and select respondents who meet the set criteria. Exclude ineligible respondents.
Finalize Main Survey Respondents:
Based on the screening survey results, finalize the respondents for the main survey.
Example Questions for Screening Surveys
Example 1: Selecting Respondents for a Health Food Survey
Age Confirmation:
"What is your age?"
Under 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45 and over
Health Food Usage:
"Have you purchased health foods in the past six months?"
Yes
No
Allergy Confirmation:
"Do you have any allergies to specific foods?"
Yes
No
Example 2: Market Research for a New Product
Purchasing Decision-Maker Confirmation:
"Are you involved in making purchasing decisions for food in your household?"
Yes
No
Interest in Product Categories:
"How interested are you in the following product categories? (Very interested, Somewhat interested, Not interested)"
Seasonings
Snacks
Beverages
Purchase Frequency Confirmation:
"Which of the following products have you purchased in the past month? (Select all that apply)"
Seasonings
Snacks
Beverages
Advantages of Screening Surveys
Cost Reduction:
Reduce survey costs by excluding ineligible respondents beforehand.
Improved Data Reliability:
Collect data from appropriate respondents, enhancing the reliability and validity of the survey results.
Efficient Survey Management:
Conduct the main survey more efficiently by focusing only on eligible respondents, reducing wasted time and resources.
Disadvantages of Screening Surveys
Respondent Burden:
The screening survey can be a burden for respondents if it is too long or complex, potentially lowering response rates.
Risk of Bias:
If the screening criteria or questions are not set properly, there is a risk of introducing bias. Overly strict criteria may exclude useful respondents.
Cost and Time:
Conducting the screening survey itself requires cost and time, which can impact the budget and schedule of the main survey.
Conclusion
Screening surveys are essential preliminary surveys conducted to select suitable respondents before the main survey. Their objectives include confirming respondent eligibility, efficient use of resources, and improving data quality. By setting appropriate screening criteria, creating relevant questions, and analyzing data effectively, reliable survey results can be achieved. Despite the potential disadvantages, such as respondent burden and risk of bias, proper implementation of screening surveys can significantly enhance the overall effectiveness of the survey.