Practice Abstract - Research and innovation

Retrieving end-users’ feedback through small surveys

Farmers, foresters, and advisors, being defined as end-users, provide valuable feedback to thematic networks and research projects. In practice, it can be challenging to retrieve input from end-users throughout the different phases of the project. The thematic network EURAKNOS is focusing on best practices related to multi-actor projects. The projects’ workshops and surveys have shown that events, such as workshops, study events, and fairs, all attract large numbers of end-users and are, therefore, in general, excellent occasions to collect this valuable input. Small surveys, consisting of only three to five questions, may be all that is necessary to provide you with the information you need:

• Keep the number of questions limited. Completing the survey should not take more than a couple of minutes.

• Define your questions accurately. Ensure that they can be understood in the desired way.

• Use clear and understandable, local, language

• Avoid open-ended questions; this will slow down the completion of the survey.

• Provide a host/hostess who is actively asking farmers to complete the survey. You will not only have a higher response rate, but you might also receive additional information and feedback on the survey.

• Use the correct tool at the correct occasion. For example, if you require farmers’ feedback on an event, provide a poster with stickers at the exit of the event. If you have more questions to ask, it might be better to use a digital survey.

• Distinguish between the types of participants. Assure that you can distinguish between the people that replied based on your requirements. This can be based on type (farmer, advisors, etc.), region, etc.

• Before doing the actual survey do testing with a small group and adapt the survey accordingly

Source Project
EURAKNOS
Ongoing | 2019-2021
Main funding source
Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
Geographical location
Belgium
Project details

Project Keywords