How to develop a Self Assessment which will provide enough responses for statistical validity

By: Michael Kayhan

March 2025

In order to develop a reliable self-assessments (survey), we first need to develop a cover letter (landing page), and include the purpose of the survey, number of questions, who and how one can access the responses, confidentiality of the responses, and how to access the survey in the future.

For example in a "Transitional Competency survey" (designed to evaluate students readiness for employment, education, and independent living), first paragraph needs to explain the purpose of the self-assessment, who and how the responses can be accessed, (parents, counselors, etc.), number of questions and how long will it take to finish the survey, how to save and use it in the future, and instructions on how to complete the survey.

In a well designed survey, responses can be saved, and any incomplete survey can be saved and used in the future.