Todd Hollander Market Research

Appropriate formatting is a vital component of effective online surveys. The right formatting will engage respondents, make it easier for them to navigate through the survey, and increase the survey response rate. Here are a few tips for how and when to use text boxes.

Text Box

Text boxes are blank spaces in which users can enter free-form answers. Text boxes are generally used when a) the researcher wants to capture respondents’ opinions in their own words, and/or b) there are more response options than can be accommodated by a drop-down list. Recommendations:

• Use text boxes sparingly. As a rule, use a text box only if you cannot use a closed-ended question format (radio buttons, checkboxes, drop-down lists, or grids).
• Because it takes respondents longer to complete text boxes than radio buttons or checkboxes, the more text boxes you include, the more incomplete surveys you are likely to receive because some respondents will consider the survey too time-consuming and taxing.
• Providing clear, concise instructions tends to produce the best results.
• Placement of text boxes is important. As a rule, you should avoid using them too early in the survey because most respondents prefer to start with easy single or multiple-choice questions.
• Respondents often fill the space provided, so it is important to allow sufficient space. If you want shorter answers, limit the space provided. If you want longer responses, use larger boxes to accommodate longer responses.
• Making text box responses optional increases the likelihood that respondents will not complete them, but requiring responses in text boxes that should be optional (such as "Please use this space for any additional comments") increases the likelihood that frustrated respondents will not complete the survey.