Why, When and Where Online Survey Respondents Leave?

You prepared your survey questions. You checked the survey question order. You found the best survey software to help you. Then, you started to create survey online. But, even after all the efforts you made, you only found out that your respondents left without you knowing it.

For market research analysts, nothing can beat the disappointment of seeing a high survey dropout rate. They usually end up spending long hours of analyzing the loopholes and causes of this higher dropout rate and thinking of solutions on how to make them lower next time.

By this time, you probably know that it is not just enough to learn how to make survey questions. There are more things required for your survey to really be a success and provide you the results and data you need.

Even if your respondents can answer a specific question, there is a chance that they are not willing to do so. The truth is, there are several reasons why respondents sometimes don’t answer survey questions and leave right there and then.

Unexplained Context

Certain questions might seem inappropriate in specific contexts yet not in others. For instance, questions on leisure activities might be suitable if you conduct a survey for entertainment precincts but not if part of an employee satisfaction survey. Respondents don’t respond to queries which they deem inappropriate for a certain context.

It Needs a Lot of Effort

Many respondents are not willing to devote too much effort to offer information unless you give them an incentive for doing so. For example, the research wants to determine which galleries or museums the respondent visited recently. This is one of the two ways to obtain this information. The researcher can request the respondent to list all things they saw at the gallery or museum or the research can offer a list of exhibitions then ask the respondent to check the applicable ones. The next option is preferred as it needs less effort from the respondents.

Purpose Doesn’t Feel Legitimate

A respondent could be reticent to divulge details they don’t see as serving any legitimate purpose. Why will an organization host a music festival want to know about occupation or income level? Explaining the need for the data can make the request for information look more legitimate and increase the willingness of the respondent to answer.

Too Sensitive Information

There might be an unwillingness on the part of respondents to share any sensitive information since it may cause embarrassment or even threaten their self image. When pressed for an answer, the respondents may provide biased responses, particularly during a personal interview. Sensitive subjects may include religion, money, sexual orientation, family life and involvement in crimes or accidents.

Before you write or prepare your survey, you have to be extra careful about the questions you will include in your survey. Any wrong move with your questions may affect or alienate your respondents and urge them to refuse to give their response or consequently discourage them from completing your survey.