Online-based or paper-based survey?

The following comparison table should help you to decide whether an online or paper-based survey makes sense in your specific case.

Possibilities	Online-based survey	Paper-based survey
Direct data entry by the survey participants	Yes	no
Adaptive filter guidance within the survey	Yes	no
Randomized order of statements	Yes	no
Combination of closed and open response formats	Yes	conditional
Low-effort implementation	Yes	no
Automated implementation of the survey possible	Yes	no
Automated feedback of results possible	Yes	no
High response rate	conditional	Yes
Accessibility of people on site	Yes	Yes
Accessibility of people who are not on site	Yes	no

Concrete implementation of paper-based surveys

1. preparation of surveys

In preparation for paper-based surveys, the organizational unit first formulates the objectives and initial overarching questions. In cooperation with the ZEM, a subject-specific survey instrument can be developed on this basis that can be used for events or modules of the organizational unit. It should be noted that a separate survey instrument is not designed for each individual event, but at most for different event types, provided that these are to be taken into account for the objectives of the survey. Once the survey instrument has been designed, the ZEM programs a scannable questionnaire using the EvaSys Education software. The organizational unit notifies the ZEM of the courses or modules to be evaluated and specifies the desired number of questionnaire copies. The ZEM places a print order with the in-house print shop.

2. conducting surveys

The organizational units organize the implementation of the surveys in the courses or modules.

The organizational units send the completed questionnaires to the ZEM, if necessary with a cover sheet, clearly separated from each other so that there is no mixing of questionnaires from different courses. The ZEM scans the questionnaires.

If open entries need to be digitized, this is done manually. This work step can be accelerated by the organizational units if support is provided from the organizational units after the scanning process in order to type in open entries. The ZEM sets up appropriate access to the system for this purpose.

3. evaluation and transmission of results

The ZEM forwards the results reports to the contact persons within the respective organizational unit, who ensure that the lecturers receive the survey results for their course.

Evaluations that go beyond the standard results report can be prepared by the ZEM after review and consultation.

4. practical tips

Please fill in the questionnaires with a ballpoint pen or a felt-tip pen that is not too thick.
Please do not fill in with pencil, fountain pen, light-colored fineliner or similar. Otherwise the information will not be included in the evaluation.
Please be sure to mark within the boxes provided. Checkboxes and correction notes can be found at the top of the first page of the questionnaire.
When entering text, please also write within the spaces provided and as legibly as possible.
Anything ticked or written outside the marked areas will not be taken into account for the evaluation.
Please do not staple, fold or punch holes in the questionnaires.
If you do not answer a question, please leave all fields blank.
Please do not copy questionnaires as they cannot be scanned.
To ensure smooth processing, please only return completed and sorted questionnaires.
If cover sheets are available, please place them on top of the stack of questionnaires.