You might wonder if a survey is the same thing as a questionnaire.
Don’t worry; you’re not alone!
When it comes to collecting information, the terms survey and questionnaire are often used interchangeably. However, they are not the same.
Before you start building out your next survey or questionnaire on SurveyPlanet, learn what makes each unique and then decide which one works best for your objective. In this guide, we’ll break down what surveys and questionnaires are, how they differ, and when to use each.
What is a survey?
A survey is a method used to collect and analyze data from a group of respondents. It consists of a series of questions a company or organization asks to gain insight or data from a set of respondents. Surveys typically include closed-ended questions with few short-form answers. However, open-ended questions can also be a part of a survey. Surveys sometimes have question branching, which takes survey users to specific questions based on their previous answers. Question branching helps to ensure the company is collecting as customized, relevant data from its clients as possible. Surveys also include the process of aggregating and analyzing results to draw conclusions. If your ultimate goal is to learn more about your respondents and use the data to address problem areas, a survey is the right choice for you.
Key features of a survey:
- Structured format – A survey follows a well-planned structure with clear objectives.
- Includes analysis – Unlike a simple questionnaire, a survey involves data processing and interpretation to uncover trends and insights.
- Various question types – Surveys often contain multiple-choice, open-ended, Likert scale, and ranking questions to capture a wide range of responses.
- Different distribution methods – Surveys can be conducted online, via email, phone, in-person, or through printed forms to reach different audiences.
- Respondent anonymity – Many surveys, especially in sensitive topics like healthcare and employee feedback, ensure privacy to encourage honest responses.
Common uses of surveys:
- Market research – Understanding customer needs, industry trends, and product preferences.
- Customer feedback – Evaluating customer satisfaction and service quality.
- Employee engagement – Measuring job satisfaction and identifying areas for improvement in the workplace.
- Academic and social research – Collecting data for scientific studies, public opinion polls, and governmental policies.
- Healthcare and medical research – Gathering patient feedback to improve healthcare services.
Surveys are popularly used to examine customer experience, analyze customer feedback, and collect survey data for different business purposes. Read our tips to help business owners increase their survey response rate!
Pros and cons of surveys
Since surveys gather lots of significant data, you may not need to conduct other research outside of the survey. They also allow you to gather opinions to understand what’s trending in the market.
Another pro is that surveys are quick and easy to create, especially with SurveyPlanet. With our pre-made questions and themes, you can pick out exactly what you need to send.
As for the cons, surveys are not always accurate to draw conclusions. Often, if your survey is too long or if you send surveys too frequently, your respondents may experience survey fatigue, which can lead to response bias. In addition, if you ask the wrong questions, you won’t be able to answer your own questions or draw conclusions. Each survey question should serve a purpose – that’s why it’s important to create questions that address the issues you really need answers to. Learn how to write good survey questions and explore examples here.
What is a questionnaire?
A questionnaire serves the simple purpose of collecting data through a set of questions. Data is collected to get a brief overview, not as a way to understand the big picture or reasons behind it. A questionnaire features similar content to a survey, but without the analysis side to it. If you want to ask respondents a series of questions because you want quick and easy answers, a questionnaire is the best choice for you.
Key features of a questionnaire:
- A simple information-gathering tool – It gathers data but does not analyze it.
- Often used in surveys – A questionnaire is commonly included within a survey as a method of collecting responses.
- Mostly closed-ended questions – Designed for quick, structured responses, often in multiple-choice, yes/no, or rating formats.
- No interpretation required – A questionnaire only collects raw data, without drawing conclusions.
- Can be self-administered – Respondents can fill out a questionnaire without assistance, making it easy to distribute.
Common uses of questionnaires:
- Medical intake forms – Collecting patient history and contact details.
- Customer satisfaction forms – Capturing basic feedback on products and services.
- Online registration forms – Gathering user information for events, memberships, or subscriptions.
- Employee evaluation forms – Assessing workplace performance or training needs.
- Opinion polls – Collecting public opinions on political, social, or economic issues.
Pros and cons of questionnaires
As for the pros, to start, questionnaires are easy and inexpensive. With SurveyPlanet, you can create a free account to send unlimited questionnaires and gather unlimited responses. Questionnaires are a practical way to collect data and obtain quick results. If you have a question you want your audience to answer for you, a questionnaire is a perfect way to do it. Log into SurveyPlanet to start creating your questionnaire today!
On the flip side, questionnaires don’t give you as much data to analyze as a survey, meaning you won’t be able to draw in-depth conclusions. It’s also possible for respondents to give biased answers. They might even misinterpret your questions, which can lead to inaccurate responses. Finally, questionnaires don’t take into account the behavior of the respondent, like physical reactions, gestures, or emotions.
Surveys vs questionnaires - Key differences
Although they share similarities, surveys and questionnaires have distinct differences. Below is a breakdown of their key distinctions:
| Feature | Survey | Questionnaire |
| Purpose | Collects and analyzes data | Gathers information without analysis |
| Scope | Broader, includes research and data interpretation | A simple list of questions |
| Question Types | Open-ended, multiple-choice, Likert scale, etc. | Mostly closed-ended questions |
| Data Analysis | Yes, surveys process and interpret responses | No, raw data collection only |
| Method of Use | Used for research, decision-making, and insights | Used for data collection without conclusions |
| Length | Can be long and detailed | Usually short and concise |
| Response Time | Requires thoughtful responses | Quick and straightforward answers |
When to use a survey vs. a questionnaire?
Regarding the difference between a survey and a questionnaire and choosing one of them, the decision comes down to your goal, the type of information you need, and how you plan to use the collected data. If you’re conducting in-depth research or need insights to make data-driven decisions, a survey is the best option. On the other hand, if you just need to gather raw information without analysis, a questionnaire will suffice.
| Situation | Use a Survey | Use a Questionnaire |
| You need in-depth analysis and trends | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| You need structured but basic information | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| You want open-ended responses | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| You need quick and standardized data | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| You want to make business/policy decisions | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| You are collecting personal details for records | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| You are measuring opinions and satisfaction levels | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Let’s dive deeper into the specific scenarios where you should use each.
When to use a survey
Surveys are the preferred method when you need structured, detailed data that can be analyzed and interpreted to gain insights. They go beyond simple data collection and help in identifying patterns, correlations, and trends, making them invaluable for decision-making in business, research, and policy development. If you want to understand why people think or behave a certain way, rather than just collect raw responses, a survey is the right choice. Below are specific scenarios where using a survey is the most effective approach.
You need to analyze and interpret data
A survey is ideal when you require detailed insights and statistical analysis. This means you are not just collecting responses but also evaluating trends, identifying patterns, and drawing meaningful conclusions.
Example: A company wants to improve customer satisfaction. Instead of just asking whether customers like their service, they conduct a survey with various question types, such as rating scales and open-ended responses. This allows them to identify specific pain points and make strategic improvements.
You want to understand trends and correlations
Surveys are often used to identify patterns and relationships within a target audience. They help businesses, researchers, and policymakers recognize trends over time and correlations between different variables.
Example: A retail business tracks seasonal shopping habits by conducting a customer survey every three months. By analyzing the responses, they discover that customers prefer discounts during certain months, allowing them to optimize their marketing strategy.
You need a variety of question types
Surveys allow for more complex and diverse question formats, including:
- Multiple-choice questions (to understand preferences)
- Likert scale questions (to measure satisfaction on a scale)
- Open-ended questions (to collect in-depth feedback)
- Ranking questions (to prioritize preferences)
Example: A university conducts a survey among students to measure academic stress levels. Instead of a simple yes/no response, they use Likert scale questions (e.g., “On a scale of 1 to 10, how stressful do you find final exams?”) to get more nuanced insights.
You need a representative sample of a population
Surveys help gather responses from a large and diverse group, ensuring that results are representative of a specific population. If you’re making decisions based on public opinion, employee feedback, or customer satisfaction, a survey provides a bigger picture.
Example: A political organization conducts a nationwide survey to understand voter preferences before an election. The survey results help predict trends and adjust campaign strategies accordingly.
You want to make business or policy decisions
Surveys are essential for organizations looking to make data-backed decisions. They provide the quantifiable data necessary for adjusting business strategies, improving products, or shaping policies.
Example: A tech company wants to launch a new mobile app feature. Instead of assuming what users want, they conduct a survey asking customers about their preferences and frustrations with the current version. This helps the company prioritize improvements based on actual user needs.
When to use a questionnaire
A questionnaire is best suited for situations where you simply need to collect structured information without conducting further analysis. It is a data collection tool used to gather standardized responses efficiently, making it ideal for forms, registrations, and basic feedback collection. Unlike surveys, questionnaires do not attempt to uncover patterns or insights but serve as a means of record-keeping or data organization. Below are common scenarios where using a questionnaire is the best option.
You only need to collect raw information
If you just need basic details from respondents without analyzing the responses, a questionnaire is sufficient. It is often used for registration, applications, and basic feedback forms.
Example: A conference requires attendees to fill out a registration form with their name, contact details, and meal preferences. There’s no need to analyze the responses—only to collect the information for event planning.
You want quick and simple responses
Since questionnaires usually contain close-ended questions, they make it easy for respondents to answer quickly. This is ideal when you want to minimize response time.
Example: A café hands out a short questionnaire to customers, asking:
- “Did you enjoy your coffee today?” (Yes/No)
- “Would you recommend our café to a friend?” (Yes/No)
The business owner collects responses but does not conduct in-depth analysis.
You need standardized data for record-keeping
Questionnaires are often used in administrative settings where organizations need to collect standardized information.
Example: A hospital asks new patients to complete a medical intake questionnaire that includes personal details, medical history, and insurance information. The data is used for patient records, not for statistical analysis.
You want self-administered forms
Unlike surveys, which often require follow-ups or explanations, questionnaires can be completed independently. This makes them useful for situations where minimal interaction is needed.
Example: An online store sends a customer satisfaction questionnaire after a purchase. Customers rate their experience from 1 to 5, but the company does not analyze trends—responses are just stored for reference.
You need to collect information at scale without processing it
Questionnaires are great for collecting large volumes of responses without needing detailed examination or trend analysis.
Example: A shopping mall asks visitors to complete a short exit questionnaire about their favorite stores and what they purchased. The data is stored, but no complex analysis is performed.
Now that you understand the difference between survey and questionnaire, decide which one is right for you and then log in to SurveyPlanet to get started. Our platform features pre-made questions, beautiful themes and unlimited surveys and responses. If you want to take your survey or questionnaire to the next level, consider upgrading to a Pro account. Gain access to our exclusive Pro features, including question branching, custom themes, uploading images and exporting results in various formats. Sign up today!