Background
In scientific research, questionnaire surveys are relatively the easiest method to implement, but we often encounter a problem: the quality and quantity of samples.
Regarding quality, it’s required to be as balanced as possible, such as even gender distribution, age distribution, education level distribution, etc., otherwise analyzing the data can easily lead to problems.
Regarding quantity, the requirement is to have as many as possible; the results from analyzing ten, hundreds, or thousands of valid questionnaires have completely different reference values.
This article mainly shares how to increase the quantity of questionnaires.
Approach
A large sample size definitely doesn’t fall from the sky; it inevitably requires much more effort than a small sample, and the resources that need to be sacrificed mainly include:
- Time
- Money
- Social relationships
If you don’t want to sacrifice any of these, then don’t bother doing questionnaire surveys early on; the sample size won’t be enough, and the effort will be wasted.
Common questionnaire collection methods
Beginner version: Asking friends and family for help (Resources sacrificed: mainly relationships, supplemented by time)
Introduction: After the questionnaire is ready, forward it to relatives, friends, and classmates from elementary school, middle school, high school, and university—anyone with not too distant relations usually feels compelled to fill it out.
Advantages: Lowest threshold
Disadvantages: For general relationships, filling it out once or twice is okay, but after a few times people get tired of it, making it unsustainable
Suitable for: Beginners on the research path with plenty of time
Intermediate version: Offering small gifts for help (Resources sacrificed: mainly money, supplemented by relationships)
Introduction: Give small gifts for filling out the questionnaire; anyone who fills it in gets a gift.
Advantages: The more exquisite the gifts, the better—people might even look forward to filling out each questionnaire. Giving red envelopes (cash rewards) also works, making them willing to fill out future surveys.
Disadvantages: Higher threshold; requires spending some money and putting effort into planning
Suitable for: Joining relatively reliable teams with some financial support
Niche version: Supervising participants to fill out (Resources sacrificed: mainly time, supplemented by money)
Introduction: Setting up a small booth to catch passersby and have them fill out the questionnaire.
Advantages: Almost no cost except printing fees; giving gifts can attract more people; questionnaire quality is very high; and while filling out, participants might even inspire new research ideas.
Disadvantages: Incredibly time-consuming
Suitable for: Questionnaire designers refining the survey, senior researchers needing high-quality questionnaires, beginners with plenty of time, or surveys with special requirements
Careful version: Meticulously designed questionnaires (Resources sacrificed: mainly time)
Introduction: Honestly admitting that the designed questionnaire is a mess, going back to remake it, group discussions, consulting others, and meticulously optimizing it (there are clearly many areas needing improvement—why rush to release it 
; it’s hard to fill and analyze).
Advantages: Simplifies the questionnaire, making it easier for participants and also for analysis afterward
Disadvantages: Repeated discussions and revisions require patience
Suitable for: Research perfectionists and senior researchers needing high-quality questionnaires
High-tech version: Mutual assistance filling (Resources sacrificed: time)
Introduction: A small function of Wenjuanxing (Questionnaire Star) where, after publishing the questionnaire, you can help each other fill them in: you fill others’ questionnaires, and others fill yours. The more you fill others’ surveys, the more yours get filled.
Advantages: Zero cost, high time efficiency; if you spend ten minutes filling someone else’s questionnaire, others will spend ten minutes on yours.
Disadvantages: Samples tend to be mainly young people (since this function is generally known to younger users)
Suitable for: Joining relatively reliable teams but without funds
Invincible high-tech version: Paying to get more responses (Resources sacrificed: money)
Note 
: I have not tried this method myself; just mentioning it for reference. For most questionnaire surveys, the above methods are sufficient.
Introduction: Also a function of Wenjuanxing; after publishing, you can pay others to fill in the questionnaires, and the fillers receive red envelopes (cash rewards), making it a win-win situation.
Advantages: Sample characteristics can be customized, with various parameters selectable at will.
Disadvantages: Costs money
Suitable for: Joining very reliable teams with ample financial support; urgently needing more questionnaires for an approaching project deadline
Summary
In short, there are rewards only when you make sacrifices. Of course, different sacrifices cost differently; some yield twice the results with half the effort, others do the opposite. This approach is for reference only; pros and cons are purely personal evaluations. The best method is the one that suits you!
Finally, I wish everyone a happy New Year and great academic success!