How to write a screener survey that finds the right participants

A screener is a short set of questions people answer before they take part. It keeps out people who don't fit, so your sessions go to the people who can answer your research question.

Write it last, after you know exactly who you need. Describe them in one sentence about what they do, for example “people who bought something online in the last month and paid on delivery”, then write questions that find that person.

Keep it to three to six questions. Every extra question loses some good people who give up halfway.

People are honest about what they did and hopeful about what they would do. Ask about real, recent behaviour, with a time frame.

• Weak: “Do you shop online?”
• Better: “In the last month, how many times did you buy something online?” with answers like None, Once, 2 to 4 times, 5 or more.

“How often” and “which” questions tell you far more than yes or no, and they're much harder to guess.

Some people pick whichever answer sounds like it will get them in. Make it hard to tell which one you want.

• Don't name your product, company or topic in the question.
• Put the answer you want among other realistic ones. “Which of these apps have you used in the last week?” with five apps hides which one matters.
• Avoid questions that hint, like “You use mobile money, right?”

On myUsersInsight, a question that may push people to say yes is flagged with a fairer way to ask it, which you can use with one tap.

Each person should find exactly one answer that's true for them, or more if you let them pick several.

• Don't let ranges overlap: “1 to 2” and “3 to 5”, not “1 to 3” and “3 to 5”.
• Always include “None of these” or “I don't know”, so nobody has to guess.
• Use everyday words. Write “paid on delivery”, not “cash-on-delivery fulfilment”.

One open question shows you who explains things clearly, which matters most for interviews and tests where people think aloud.

Ask something like “Tell us about the last time you bought something online. What did you buy, and how did it go?” A few clear, specific sentences are a great sign. One word or a copied answer isn't.

On myUsersInsight, open answers don't qualify or screen out anyone. You read them before you invite people.

Before you publish, mark every answer: does it fit who you want, not fit, or not matter? Deciding up front keeps you fair and makes choosing people quick.

On myUsersInsight each answer is set to Fits, Doesn't fit or Doesn't matter, and at least one must fit. Everyone who applies gets a fit score from 0% to 100% and waits for you in the People tab, under To review, best fit first. Nobody is turned away: you decide whom to invite.

Ask a colleague to answer your screener as one of your participants would, then as someone who shouldn't get in. If the wrong person gets through, or the right one gets stuck, fix the question.

A narrow screener takes longer to fill. If applications are slow, loosen one answer and see if more people qualify.

1. Describe who you need in one sentence about what they do.
2. Write three to six questions about recent behaviour, with a time frame.
3. Don't name your product or topic, and hide the answer you want.
4. Make sure answers don't overlap, and include “None of these”.
5. Add one open question to see who explains things clearly.
6. Decide which answers qualify, screen out or don't matter.
7. Try it with a colleague before you publish.