Businesses use sampling surveys to get feedback or gain information. A company most often uses statistical sampling surveys when it would be impossible to survey the entire population or group. Statistical sampling survey providers determine the qualifications for the survey and try to match the sample to the overall group as best as possible.

A statistical sampling survey provider may choose the sample by factors known as probability or nonprobability. With probability samples, the research can calculate the probable error, or the difference in the results from the sample group to the entire group.

1. Use sampling surveys to interview your clients on your services and products.

2. Determine problem areas in your organization with employee or human resources samples.

3. Keep in mind that sampling survey studies will only give you a snapshot of the statistical data for the group, not an acutal representation.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Conduct your own sample surveys to gain information

If you know how to structure a sample survey, you can eliminate the need to hire a survey sample provider, which can reduce the cost of conducting the survey. The main things you need to know include how to determine you sample group, what type of data you need to collect and what you hope to gain from the survey.

I recommend: SYSurvey provides tips and content designed to help you organize your own survey sample. It offers a detailed guide on the things you need to consider for a sampling survey. Use software from the SAS Institute to plan and design your survey.

Build your Internet contacts with web-based sampling surveys

Pop-up surveys can help you sample data from visitors to your website. You can use surveys to build your email address file, gain feedback or test new products or information. Be careful not to overload your visitors with too many surveys, or they may decide it isn't worth their time to visit your site.

I recommend: Formsite.com provides templates and samples for online surveys. Its choices include customer service feedback and employee surveys. Vanguard lets you build sample surveys to incorporate into your website without downloading any software. With its programs, you won't need to know HTML and you can match the survey to your company's look.

Outsource the job to sampling survey providers

If you don't know where to begin to conduct your own survey or you want to leave the job to professionals, consider hiring a provider to conduct the research for you. You may want to hire a company that analizes the results as well.

I recommend: Query Group acts as you on-call survey experts. It works with six stages of the survey process and can help you with whichever stage you need. Constant Contact offers survey coaching and support. It mainly specializes in web-based surveys.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  In order to host your own sample survey, you should have a basic understanding of statistics.