Analyzing Survey Results

Once responses start coming in, SurveyMethods provides powerful tools to analyze and understand your data.

Accessing Results

1. Go to your survey
2. Click the Analyze tab
3. You’ll see your results dashboard

Results Dashboard

Overview Metrics

At the top, you’ll see:

• Total Responses - Number of completed surveys
• Completion Rate - Started vs. completed
• Average Time - Time to complete
• Response Trend - Responses over time

Question Summary

Each question displays:

• Response distribution (charts/graphs)
• Response counts and percentages
• Statistical summaries

Visualization Types

Automatic Charts

SurveyMethods automatically selects the best chart for each question type:

• Bar Charts - Multiple choice, checkboxes
• Pie Charts - Single selection questions
• Gauges - NPS and satisfaction scores
• Word Clouds - Open-ended text responses
• Tables - Matrix questions

Switching Views

Click the chart icon on any question to:

• Switch chart types
• View as table
• See detailed breakdown

Filtering Results

Focus on specific segments of your data.

Quick Filters

1. Click Filter at the top
2. Select filter criteria:
   • By question response
   • By date range
   • By completion status
   • By collector

Advanced Filters

Combine multiple conditions:

• Answer to Q1 = “Yes” AND
• Answer to Q5 > 7 AND
• Completed after Jan 1

Saving Filters

Save frequently used filters:

1. Set up your filter
2. Click Save Filter
3. Name your filter
4. Access from filter dropdown

Comparing Data

Compare Reports

Compare different time periods or segments:

1. Click Compare
2. Select baseline report
3. Select comparison report
4. View side-by-side analysis

Cross-Tabulation

Analyze how answers to one question relate to another:

1. Select primary question
2. Select comparison question
3. View cross-tab table

Individual Responses

View complete responses from individual respondents.

Accessing Individual Data

1. Go to Individual Responses
2. Browse response list
3. Click to view full response

Response Details

For each response, see:

• All answers
• Timestamp
• Duration
• Collector source
• Custom fields

Actions

• Delete response
• Export individual response
• Tag or flag response

Text Analysis

For open-ended questions, SurveyMethods provides:

Word Frequency

• Most common words/phrases
• Word cloud visualization
• Filter common words

Sentiment Analysis

AI-powered analysis that categorizes responses:

• Positive - Favorable feedback
• Neutral - Factual or mixed
• Negative - Critical feedback

Enable sentiment analysis:

1. Go to the text question
2. Click Enable Sentiment Analysis
3. View sentiment breakdown

Response Categorization

Group similar responses together for easier analysis.

AI-Powered Insights

Let AI analyze your results and highlight key findings.

Generating AI Insights

1. Go to Present tab
2. Click Generate Insights
3. AI analyzes all responses
4. View summary and key findings

What AI Provides

• Executive Summary - High-level overview
• Key Findings - Important patterns and trends
• Question Insights - Deep dive per question
• Recommendations - Suggested actions

Segmented Analysis

Compare insights across different groups:

1. Select segmentation question
2. Choose segments to compare
3. View segmented insights

Exporting Results

Export Formats

• PDF - Formatted report
• Excel - Spreadsheet with all data
• CSV - Raw data export
• PowerPoint - Presentation slides

Export Options

1. Click Export
2. Select format
3. Choose what to include:
   • Summary data
   • Individual responses
   • Charts and visuals
   • Open-ended responses

Scheduled Exports

Set up automatic exports:

1. Go to Settings > Scheduled Exports
2. Set frequency
3. Choose format
4. Enter delivery email

Reports

Creating Reports

Save a snapshot of your analysis:

1. Configure filters and view
2. Click Save as Report
3. Name your report
4. Access from Reports list

Managing Reports

• Copy reports
• Schedule reports
• Share with team
• Compare reports

Best Practices

Regular Review

• Check results daily during active collection
• Look for trends over time
• Monitor completion rates

Data Quality

• Remove test responses
• Check for suspicious patterns
• Validate unusual responses

Actionable Analysis

• Focus on insights, not just data
• Look for patterns across questions
• Segment by key variables
• Compare to benchmarks

Sharing Results

• Use executive summaries for leadership
• Provide raw data for analysts
• Create visualizations for presentations

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Related articles:

• AI-Powered Results Presentation
• Exporting Survey Data
• Creating Reports