Organizing Sections and Headings

Organizing your questionnaire into sections helps create a clear structure for responders and improves the quality of feedback you receive.

A well-organized questionnaire is easier to complete and produces more meaningful results.

What are Sections and Headings?

Sections (also called headings) are used to organize related questions within the questionnaire.

Each section represents a specific skill, competency, or area being evaluated. Grouping related questions together helps create a questionnaire that is easier for responders to understand and complete.

Examples of section headings include:

• Communication
• Leadership
• Collaboration
• Problem Solving
• Strategic Thinking

Within each section, you would typically include several numeric rating questions that evaluate behaviours related to that competency, followed by an optional narrative comment question.

Why Organization Matters

Organizing your questionnaire properly:

• Makes it easier for responders to understand
• Improves the flow of the questionnaire
• Reduces confusion and fatigue
• Helps produce clearer and more consistent responses
• Makes reports easier to interpret

How to Organize Your Questionnaire

When organizing your questionnaire, aim to create clear sections that group together related behaviors under a specific skill or competency:

Group Related Questions Together

Each section should focus on one skill or competency being evaluated. Within that section, include numeric rating questions that assess the behaviors that define that skill.

Use Clear and Descriptive Headings

Section headings should clearly identify the skill or competency being evaluated. For example: Communication, Leadership Effectiveness, Collaboration.

Avoid vague, generic, or overly technical labels.

Create a Logical Flow

Arrange sections in a sequence that feels natural.

For example:

• Start with general competencies
• Move into more specific or role-based areas
• End with broader or reflective topics

Keep Sections Balanced

Avoid sections that are too long or too short.

Try to distribute questions evenly so that no single section feels overwhelming.

Reviewing Your Structure

Before launching your project, review:

• Whether sections are clearly defined
• Whether questions are grouped logically
• Whether the flow makes sense from a responder’s perspective

Previewing the questionnaire can help identify areas for improvement.

Tips for Organizing Sections

• Keep the number of sections manageable
• Use consistent naming conventions
• Avoid overlapping topics across sections
• Ensure each section has a clear purpose
• Think from the responder’s point of view