Are your surveys unintentionally leaving people out? In today’s diverse and dynamic world, designing an inclusive survey isn’t just thoughtful—it’s essential.
When inclusivity is practiced, the diversity of individuals is acknowledged and respected and we work towards a world free of prejudice and discrimination.
If you care about diversity, inclusivity, and societal values, these types of surveys can be a valuable tool.
Inclusive surveys can be used to break down barriers, eliminate discrimination and bias, and create a more welcoming and accepting environment for all individuals.
Why creating inclusive surveys should be your priority?
Inclusive surveys help promote fairness, equality, and respect for all—regardless of background, identity, or status. When you make an effort to represent everyone, you do more than collect better data—you send a powerful message: You belong here.
Here’s why inclusive surveys are more than a trend—they’re a necessity:
- They build trust: Participants feel safer and more seen.
- They yield better data: Broader representation leads to more reliable insights.
- They reflect your values: Inclusivity shows your commitment to equity and diversity.
The value of writing inclusive surveys
Writing inclusive surveys is essential for several reasons:
- Ensure accurate data: Inclusive surveys help provide an opportunity for everyone to be included in the sample. When a survey is not inclusive, it can miss essential perspectives or experiences that will affect the validity of the data.
- Increases participation: Finding survey respondents is hard enough. Inclusive surveys can increase return rates by making more participants feel welcome and valued, which increases the pool of respondents.
To better understand this dynamic, see our blog “What is a good survey response rate?” - Avoids biases: Avoid biases that may occur if certain groups are excluded or not considered with inclusive surveys. A survey that is not inclusive may unintentionally favor certain groups or exclude others. Read our blog about biased surveys and their inherent disadvantages to better understand how to avoid common mistakes like biased survey questions.
If you care about diversity and human-centered design, an inclusive survey is one of the most powerful tools you can use.
Inclusive gender survey options: What to include and why it matters
Gender survey options and inclusivity are interconnected. Gender is a fundamental aspect of identity; acknowledging the variousness of gender identities in a survey is essential. Inclusive gender survey options recognize and appreciate that gender is not binary and that there is a range of gender identities beyond male and female.
When you offer a range of gender identity options in a survey:
- You acknowledge people’s lived realities, allowing respondents to feel seen and respected.
- You prevent alienation, reducing drop-off rates where participants abandon surveys they find exclusive or insensitive.
- You collect better data, because individuals who feel validated are more likely to engage thoughtfully and answer questions honestly.
- You demonstrate cultural competence and organizational values, showcasing your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Ignoring gender diversity isn’t neutral—it actively contributes to the marginalization of non-binary, transgender, and gender-nonconforming individuals.
Including inclusive gender survey options also acknowledges that some individuals may not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth and that their gender identity may not be immediately apparent. Providing inclusive gender options creates a safe space for all individuals to participate without feeling excluded or invalidated.
How to ask about gender inclusively
Crafting an inclusive gender question involves three key components:
- Using thoughtful, respectful language
- Offering a variety of options
- Allowing participants to self-describe if needed
Instead of asking “What is your gender?” with only “Male” and “Female” as choices, a more inclusive format would be:
How do you describe your gender identity?
(Please select the option that best describes you.)
Here’s a sample list of gender identity survey options you might offer:
- Male
- Female
- Transgender Male / Trans Man
- Transgender Female / Trans Woman
- Non-binary
- Genderqueer
- Gender Non-conforming
- Two-Spirit (specific to some Indigenous North American cultures)
- Other (please specify)
- Prefer not to say
Always include “Prefer not to say” for those who prefer privacy, and “Other (please specify)” with an open text field to allow self-identification. Respect and flexibility are key.
Important things to remember when asking about gender:
- Placement matters: Position demographic questions like gender at the end of the survey if possible. Starting with deeply personal questions can make participants uncomfortable.
- Tone matters: Keep the phrasing neutral and non-assumptive. Avoid suggesting there are only two “main” genders and “other” as a second-tier choice.
- Flexibility matters: Consider allowing participants to skip the gender question entirely without penalty.
- Cultural sensitivity matters: Gender identity concepts can vary across cultures. What is common in one region may not resonate in another.
Seven tips for writing an inclusive survey
Writing an inclusive survey requires considering language carefully. Format and content can be used to ensure that all individuals can participate comfortably, accurately representing their experiences and opinions. Here are some tips about how to write an inclusive survey:
1. Use inclusive language
Use transparent and inclusive language that is easy to understand. Avoid using jargon, abbreviations, or technical terms that may be unfamiliar to some participants. Use gender-neutral language and avoid assumptions about a participant’s gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or cultural background.
Use language that includes all individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Use phrasing like:
- “What gender do you identify with?” instead of “What is your gender?”
- “Partner” instead of “husband” or “wife”
- “Parent or guardian” instead of “mom” or “dad”
Interested in finding out more about demographic questions? Please read our blog on how to use demographic survey questions to learn about phrasing guidelines.
2. Provide a spectrum of inclusive options
It is imperative to provide a range of options for participants, including “prefer not to say” for sensitive questions. The possibilities should be inclusive and reflect the diversity of participants.
Offer various response options that allow participants to represent their experiences accurately. For example, instead of only offering “male” or “female,” consider offering gender identity survey options such as “non-binary,” “genderqueer,” or “prefer not to say.”
It’s important to note that some individuals may prefer to use different terms or labels to describe their gender identity; therefore, providing an “other” option with an open text field in which participants can specify how they identify is good. Additionally, it’s important to provide a “prefer not to say” option for those who do not wish to disclose their gender identity.
Overall, the goal is to create a safe and inclusive space for all participants to express their gender identity. In addition, by providing a range of options, we can create more inclusive surveys that respect and acknowledge the diversity of gender identities.
3. Avoid assumptions
Clarity is the key component of every good survey question. Therefore, ensure that questions are clear and concise and avoid using leading or loaded questions that may spoil responses. Use a mix of open-ended and closed-ended questions while providing an “other” or “not applicable” option where appropriate.
One of the quickest ways to alienate your participants is to make assumptions about their background, experiences, or identity. Even if done unintentionally, assumptions can lead to questions that feel intrusive, confusing, or irrelevant—causing people to abandon the survey or provide inaccurate responses.
When designing surveys, it’s critical to recognize that:
- Family structures vary widely: Not every household includes a “mother” and “father.”
- Religious traditions differ: Not everyone celebrates Christmas, Easter, or other dominant holidays.
- Cultural experiences shape reality: Celebrations, food, values, and daily life vary greatly across populations.
- Names, genders, and relationships can be nontraditional: Assumptions about someone’s “maiden name,” “husband,” or “wife” can feel exclusionary.
Use open-ended or broader phrasing whenever possible to invite diverse realities without forcing respondents into limited frameworks.
By avoiding assumptions, you demonstrate respect for everyone’s unique story—and you create surveys that are more accurate, inclusive, and welcoming.
4. Consider cultural differences
Cultural differences are a set of practices—including languages, beliefs, behaviors, and expressions—that are considered unique to members of a specific group of shared ethnicity, race, or national origin.
Be sensitive to cultural differences and avoid using what will be unfamiliar, offensive language or concepts for some participants. Instead, consider providing explanations or definitions for terms that are not universally understood.
Culture shapes language, humor, traditions, and daily experiences. What’s common or obvious in one culture may be strange, confusing, or even offensive in another.
When crafting survey questions for a diverse or global audience, be mindful that:
- Idioms and slang don’t always translate well. (“Break the ice,” “spill the beans,” or “kick the bucket” might make no sense—or cause offense—in different cultures.)
- Humor is deeply cultural. What is seen as funny in one place may be inappropriate elsewhere.
- Examples tied to one country or religion may exclude others. Not everyone eats turkey on holidays or watches the Super Bowl.
How to respect cultural differences in surveys:
- Avoid slang, idiomatic expressions, and culturally specific jokes. Use clear, simple language instead.
- Be cautious with metaphors or analogies. (“Hitting a home run” is American-centric; use “achieving a major success” instead.)
- Provide definitions where needed. If you must use terms that may not be universally understood, offer a short explanation.
- Ask neutral, universal questions. (Instead of “Which Thanksgiving dish do you like most?”, ask “Which traditional dishes do you enjoy during family gatherings?”)
- Offer translation options. If your participants come from different language backgrounds, offer surveys in their preferred language whenever possible.
5. Consider accessibility
Accessibility is not just a legal requirement in many places (such as under the Americans with Disabilities Act); it’s a mark of respect for all users.
Ensure the survey is accessible to all participants, including those with disabilities. Use accessible formats such as large fonts, contrasting colors, and alternative text descriptions for images. Provide closed captioning or transcripts for videos and audio content.
Additionally, consider the option of completing the survey in a language other than English.
Organize surveys in a logical and easy-to-follow structure. Use clear headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break up long blocks of text. Questions should be ordered logically, with the survey flowing smoothly. Our 11 tips for creating an engaging online survey can help maintain survey flow.
6. Test the survey first
Even the most thoughtfully designed survey can miss the mark if it’s not tested across a range of real-world experiences.
Test the survey with diverse participants to ensure it is inclusive and accessible. Use the feedback from the test group to make any necessary changes to improve clarity, understandability, and inclusivity.
Before launching your survey broadly:
- Conduct a soft launch (a “beta” test) with a small, diverse group of testers.
- Invite feedback specifically about clarity, accessibility, comfort, and inclusivity.
Questions to ask testers:
- Was any part of the survey confusing or unclear?
- Did you feel that the survey respected your identity and experiences?
- Were there any questions you found difficult, uncomfortable, or limiting?
- Did any questions make assumptions about you that didn’t fit?
- Were there enough options to accurately describe your identity, background, or experiences?
To understand such feedback accurately, the basics of survey data collection need to be understood. Read our ultimate guide to survey data collection to help better incorporate feedback into a survey.
7. Don’t forget about confidentiality
Last but not least, ensure that the survey is confidential and that participants understand their responses will be kept anonymous. This encourages respondents to answer honestly and openly.
Conducting an anonymous survey is a research best practice. See our guide explaining how to create an anonymous survey with examples.
Key ways to prioritize privacy:
- Be transparent upfront. Clearly state at the beginning of the survey:
- Whether responses are anonymous or confidential
- How data will be stored
- Who will have access to the information
- Avoid collecting unnecessary personally identifiable information (PII) like full names, addresses, or birth dates unless absolutely necessary—and explain why if you must collect them.
- Use secure platforms that encrypt survey data.
- If offering open-ended questions, avoid asking for details that could unintentionally reveal someone’s identity.
- Give participants the option to skip questions. Mandatory fields should be kept to a minimum, particularly for sensitive topics.
Write inclusive online surveys with SurveyPlanet
By following these tips and those found in the linked articles, you can create welcoming and inclusive surveys. However, if you need further assistance, numerous additional SurveyPlanet features will help you on the survey creation journey.
Our more than a hundred pre-written questions, dedicated example pages, and numerous templates mean there is no barrier to undertaking research projects and data collection. We also offer an assortment of beautiful, premade graphic design themes, which will help you personalize surveys, including branding using our white-label tools.
Sign up and start creating surveys that welcome everyone’s participation with SurveyPlanet!
Photo by Jonny Caspari on Unsplash