The Survey System is powerful survey software that conducts surveys manually and on paper. Surveys can be conducted through the internet or email with the purchase of an additional module. The Survey System our TopTenREVIEWS Bronze Award winner includes several of the most common survey questions including multiple choice, rating and question matrix.
Unfortunately, we found The Survey System to be very difficult to use and daunting for a novice surveyor. The program interface uses unfamiliar images and buttons. Additionally, The Survey System frequently tries to upsell with various module options.
Surveys can be administered on paper print outs, over the phone or face to face.
The Survey System question choices include multiple choice, rating and question matrix. Verbatim is available in the Professional and Enterprise editions. You can customize your survey with instructional text, font options and images. Stock questions are available online.
The Survey System’s strongest asset is its analysis tools. It can perform common statistical calculations like percents, means, standard deviation, margin of error and chi–square.
Results can be exported to ASCII text or CSV files and surveys previously created in Word can be imported into Survey System.
Although The Survey System is a powerful survey creator and analyzer, it takes a large amount of patience to understand how the program works. We found the buttons and symbols the program uses to be unfamiliar and confusing. Additionally, the 150–page tutorial is too long and difficult to understand.
The Survey System is compatible with any windows based server. If you do not have a website to post your surveys, The Survey System company, Creative Research Systems offers web hosting options where you can post your surveys on their servers.
The Survey System provided one of the most comprehensive help and support sections we reviewed. They include a full user manual with the program, 150–page tutorial supplement, an online FAQ, telephone and responsive email.
The Survey System’s website also includes several research aids like a sample calculator and articles relating to interviewing, survey design and correlation.
While The Survey System is a powerful survey program, that performs many of the required tasks expected of top survey software, we found its user friendliness to be its major downfall. Additionally, although the “tutorial’s is informative and covers every aspect of the product, its length is intimidating. This product is not recommended for novices.
For a high–powered survey program that’s easier to use, see the #1 rated program, Survey Crafter Professional.
