What is a Poll?

Polls are a short surveys with a simple format, usually containing multiple, predetermined answers. When a researcher decides to create a poll for a survey, there is also the option to add an empty field that allows a respondent to fill-in-the-blank and offer their personal answer.

The value of a poll question format is it's ability to be straightforward and unambiguous - it is difficult for participants to misinterpret the question when the answers are provided. Also, since answers to a poll are predetermined, the data gathered can be quickly quantified and analyzed, leading to faster, more decisive results.

A typical poll resembles the below example:

How often do you clean your car's exterior?

Once a week
Twice a month
Three times a year
Never

The poll above limits survey participants to choosing only the options listed as their answer. While this is an effective method to employ when desiring to control the amount of information shared, it may limit the accuracy of the poll, as some participants might clean their car a number of times not listed among the answers and be left with answering imprecisely or not at all.

If a user wants to allow survey participants to respond in their own words, they can include a blank or "other" option beneath the predetermined answers.