17 Survey Researcher Interview Questions and Answers

Survey researchers design and conduct surveys and analyze data. They use their findings to help organizations understand what people think about important issues and make informed decisions.

Survey researchers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, although some jobs may require a master’s degree or higher. Most survey researchers have a background in another field, such as sociology, psychology, statistics, or market research.

If you’re interested in a career as a survey researcher, you will need to ace a job interview. This guide includes sample survey researcher interview questions and answers that will help you prepare for your next interview.

Are you familiar with the principles of probability sampling?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the fundamentals of survey research. It’s important for survey researchers to understand probability sampling because it’s one of the most common methods used in this field. When answering this question, you can list out the principles of probability sampling and explain how they apply to your work as a survey researcher.

Example: “Probability sampling is a method that involves selecting a random sample from a population. This method is often used when conducting surveys because it allows researchers to get accurate results by ensuring that each member of the target population has an equal chance of being selected for the study. I have extensive experience using probability sampling in my work as a survey researcher.”

What are the advantages and disadvantages of using quota sampling?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the different sampling methods and how they can affect survey results. When answering this question, it can be helpful to explain what quota sampling is and why you would use it in your work as a survey researcher.

Example: “Quota sampling is one of the most common types of non-probability sampling because it’s relatively easy to implement. However, there are some disadvantages to using quota sampling. For example, if you don’t choose quotas correctly, it can lead to biased data that doesn’t accurately represent the population. Another disadvantage is that quota sampling isn’t cost effective for large surveys.”

How would you go about designing a survey that is representative of a target population?

This question can help interviewers assess your knowledge of survey design and how you apply it to a project. Use examples from past projects or describe the steps you would take if you had never done this before.

Example: “I would first determine what I want to know about the target population, such as their opinions on a certain topic or demographic information like age, gender and race. Then, I would decide which sampling method is best for my situation. For example, in my last position, we used quota sampling because our client wanted to ensure that the results were representative of the entire population. We also chose online surveys over phone surveys because they are more cost-effective and convenient for respondents.”

What is the difference between cross-sectional and longitudinal studies?

This question tests your knowledge of two different types of research methods. Your answer should show that you understand the differences between these two approaches and can apply them to a survey project.

Example: “Cross-sectional studies are used to gather data from a group of people at one point in time. This type of study is useful for collecting information about how many people have a certain condition or opinion, but it doesn’t provide any insight into how those numbers change over time. Longitudinal studies collect data from the same group of people over an extended period of time. These studies allow researchers to see how opinions and behaviors change over time.”

Provide an example of a question that you would not use in a survey.

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have any ethical concerns about the questions you use in surveys. They want to know that you will not include questions that are too personal or invasive, and they also want to make sure you understand what makes a good survey question.

Example: “I would never ask someone for their social security number or other private information in a survey. I would also avoid asking people how much money they make per year because it can be an invasive question. Instead, I might ask them how satisfied they are with their current salary or whether they feel like they’re being fairly compensated.”

If you were conducting a survey about consumer preferences and you noticed that the sample size was too small to draw conclusions, what would you do?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you would respond to a common problem in the field. They want to know that you can recognize when a survey is too small and what you would do about it. In your answer, explain that you would contact the client or supervisor to let them know there are issues with the sample size and then work with them to decide on an appropriate solution.

Example: “If I noticed that the sample size was too small, I would first contact my supervisor or client to let them know of the issue. Then, we would discuss possible solutions for increasing the sample size. We could either increase the number of people surveyed or change the way we collect data to make the survey more inclusive. For example, if we were surveying only online, we might consider changing our sampling method to include those who don’t have access to the internet.”

What would you do if you noticed a high level of variance in the answers to one of the questions on your survey?

This question can help the interviewer assess your critical thinking skills and ability to make decisions. Your answer should show that you understand how important it is to maintain consistency in survey results, especially when analyzing data.

Example: “I would first try to determine if there was a logical explanation for why some respondents answered differently than others. If I couldn’t find an explanation, I would re-administer the survey to those who gave different answers to see if they respond the same way again. If not, I would eliminate their responses from my analysis.”

How well do you understand the concept of nonresponse bias?

Nonresponse bias is a common problem in survey research. It occurs when the people who respond to a survey differ from those who do not, which can skew results. A hiring manager may ask this question to see if you understand how nonresponse bias affects your work and how you might avoid it. In your answer, try to explain what nonresponse bias is and why it’s important to consider when conducting surveys.

Example: “Nonresponse bias is one of the most significant challenges that survey researchers face. If we don’t account for nonresponse bias, our data could be inaccurate or misleading. I have experience with several strategies for avoiding nonresponse bias. For example, I always make sure to include questions about demographics in my surveys so I can compare respondents’ answers to their demographic information. This helps me ensure that the people who responded to my survey are similar to those who didn’t.”

Do you have experience using SPSS to analyze survey data?

This question can help interviewers determine your level of experience with the tools and processes used in this role. If you have previous experience using SPSS, share what types of projects you worked on that required its use. If you do not have any experience using SPSS, consider sharing a similar software program or other relevant background information to show you are familiar with these processes.

Example: “I have some experience using SPSS to analyze survey data. In my last position, I was responsible for analyzing large amounts of data from surveys we conducted. I would enter all of the data into SPSS, where I could run different analyses to find trends and patterns within the data. This helped me identify areas where our company needed to make improvements.”

When conducting a survey about consumer preferences, how do you ensure that the questions are clear and easy to understand?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your survey writing skills. They want to know that you can write clear and concise questions for their clients. In your answer, explain how you ensure the questions are easy to understand and provide examples of surveys you’ve written in the past.

Example: “I always make sure my questions are clear and concise. I also try to use language that is familiar to the target audience so they don’t have to think too hard about what I’m asking. For example, when surveying teenagers, I would avoid using industry jargon or acronyms because it might confuse them. Instead, I would use more common terms like ‘texting’ instead of ‘SMS.’ This way, even if a teenager doesn’t know what an acronym means, they will still be able to understand the rest of the question.”

We want to make sure that our surveys reach a wide audience. What strategies would you use to promote a survey?

Interviewers want to know that you can promote your surveys and get a wide audience. Show them how you would use social media, email marketing or other strategies to reach as many people as possible.

Example: “I have experience with several different survey promotion methods. I find that the most effective way is through social media because it’s free and easy to share. I also like to send out emails to my contacts who might be interested in taking the survey. This helps me build up my contact list for future surveys.”

Describe your experience working with survey software.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with the software they use. If you have previous experience using survey software, describe what type of software it was and how you used it. If you do not have any experience working with survey software, you can still answer this question by describing your experience with other types of software that are similar.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of software in my career as a survey researcher. I started out working with online surveys, which were easy to create but limited in their ability to collect data. After learning about the limitations of online surveys, I began using desktop applications for surveying. These programs allowed me to customize my questions and gather more detailed information from respondents.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this survey researcher position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the job. They want to know what makes you a good fit for their company and how you can contribute to its success. Before your interview, make a list of all your relevant skills and experiences that relate to the position. Think about which ones are most important for doing this type of work. Share these with your interviewer so they can see why you’re qualified.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this survey researcher position because I have extensive experience in data collection and analysis. In my previous role as a research analyst, I worked on many different projects where I had to collect information from surveys. I also used statistical software to analyze the results and create reports. These skills make me well-suited for this role.”

Which demographic groups do you enjoy working with the most?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with their company’s target demographic. If they’re looking for someone who works with a specific group, your answer should show that you enjoy working with that group and are familiar with it.

Example: “I’ve worked with many different demographics in my career, but I find older adults to be some of the most interesting people to work with. They have so much life experience and knowledge, which makes them great sources for information. I also love working with children because they’re so honest and genuine. It’s always fun to see what new things they learn every day.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of data analysis?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you understand the importance of data analysis and how it can help a company. When answering this question, consider what skills you have that would be useful in this role.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of data analysis is being able to find insights from the information we collect. I enjoy finding patterns in data and using those insights to make decisions about products or services. In my last position, I helped create surveys for customers who had complaints about our product. After analyzing the data, I found that many customers were having issues with shipping times. We used this insight to change our shipping policy.”

How often do you conduct surveys?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how often you conduct surveys. If you have a lot of survey research experience, you may be able to answer this question with specific details about what types of surveys you conducted and when. If you are new to conducting surveys, you can explain that you’re excited to learn more about the process and gain experience in this role.

Example: “I’ve conducted surveys for my current employer once every two weeks since I started working here. Before that, I worked as an intern at a marketing firm where I helped conduct surveys twice per month.”

There is a new technology that could help you collect data more efficiently. How would you decide whether or not to use it?

This question can help interviewers understand your decision-making process and how you apply it to new technologies. Use examples from past experiences where you evaluated a technology’s benefits, costs or risks and decided whether or not to use it.

Example: “I would first consider the survey research company’s goals and objectives. If the company is looking for ways to improve its data collection methods, I might suggest testing out the new technology. However, if the company already has effective processes in place, I may decide against implementing the new technology because of the time and resources required to do so. In my last position, we were able to reduce our fieldwork costs by 20% when we implemented an online survey tool.”