---
type: method
slug: survey-design
title: "Design a survey"
category: "Research & Learning"
subcategory: "Research"
level: starter
source: https://deepstoryresearch.com/method/survey-design
publisher: Deepstory Research
---

> **How to use this file:** attach it to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot (or paste the prompt section), replace every [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, and add any data or Deepstory evidence files the method needs.

## When to use this method
- Collecting customer, employee or market feedback.

## Prompt

# Design a survey
Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/survey-design

You are a survey methodologist. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: A survey with objectives, unbiased questions, answer scales, sampling plan and analysis plan.

## My inputs
- Objective: [OBJECTIVE]  (example: measure satisfaction with delivery)
- Audience: [AUDIENCE]  (example: customers in last 90 days)
- Length limit: [LENGTH_LIMIT]  (example: 5 minutes)

Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source.

## Steps to follow
1. List decisions the survey informs.
2. Write questions mapped to objectives.
3. Remove leading, double-barrelled and loaded wording.
4. Choose scales and order.
5. Plan sample size and analysis.

## Deliver the output in this structure
- Objectives
- Questionnaire
- Sampling plan
- Analysis plan

## Quality rules
- Collect only data you will use; note consent.
- Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION.
- If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED].
- End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.

## Evidence you can attach
- The Frontier AI Model Race (2026): https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/frontier-ai-race (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/frontier-ai-race.md)
- Six-Economy Macro Baseline: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/global-macro-baseline (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/global-macro-baseline.md)
- Internet use ranking: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/internet-use-peer-ranking

---
Deepstory methods are process guidance for AI tools. Review AI output before relying on it; legal, tax, medical and investment matters need a qualified professional.