Survey vs. questionnaire: what’s the difference?

Reviewed and edited by Anwar Kareem, English.me team · 15 October 2024

The short answer

A survey is a broader term that refers to the overall process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, which can include various methods such as interviews, observations, and questionnaires. A questionnaire, on the other hand, specifically refers to a set of written questions used to obtain information from respondents.

What they have in common

Both survey and questionnaire are tools used for gathering information from respondents, and both involve asking questions.

Examples

survey

We conducted a survey to gather feedback about the new product.
The survey results were analyzed to improve customer satisfaction.
An online survey was sent to all employees to assess workplace conditions.

questionnaire

Please fill out this questionnaire about your dietary habits.
The researcher distributed a questionnaire to collect demographic data.
A questionnaire was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the training program.

Which one is more common?

Internet search results for “survey” and “questionnaire”

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