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How to Close a Survey on SurveyMonkey Quickly and Easily

Closing a survey on SurveyMonkey is a crucial step in the data collection process. It allows researchers and businesses to wrap up their feedback gathering efforts and move on to analysis. To close a survey on SurveyMonkey, users can change the collector status to “Closed” in their account settings.

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A computer mouse hovers over the "Close Survey" button on the SurveyMonkey dashboard. The cursor clicks the button, and a confirmation message pops up on the screen

This simple action prevents new respondents from accessing the survey while preserving existing data. SurveyMonkey offers additional options to customize the closed survey experience, such as editing the message displayed to late visitors or scheduling an automatic end date for the survey.

By properly closing a survey, organizations can ensure the integrity of their collected feedback and maintain control over their research timeline. This practice helps create a clear cutoff point for data analysis and reporting, enabling more accurate insights from the gathered responses.

Preparing to Close Your Survey

A computer screen with a survey monkey website open, mouse hovering over the "Close Survey" button

Before closing your SurveyMonkey survey, take a few key steps to ensure a smooth process. Planning ahead allows you to gather the data you need while respecting respondents’ time.

Determining the Cutoff Date and Time

Set a clear end date for your survey based on your research goals and timeline. Access the Collect Responses section and click “Show Advanced Options” to set a cutoff date and time.

Consider your sample size requirements and response rates when choosing the closing date. If you need a specific number of responses, monitor progress closely as you approach the deadline.

Statistical sampling may influence your cutoff decision. Ensure you have enough data to draw meaningful conclusions before closing.

Communicating with Respondents

Inform participants about the survey closing date in advance. Send a reminder email a few days before the deadline to encourage last-minute responses.

Update the survey description to include the closing date. This helps set expectations for those who haven’t started yet.

Craft a clear “survey closed” message to display after the cutoff. Thank respondents for their interest and provide any relevant follow-up information.

Consider offering an alternative contact method for those who miss the deadline but still want to share feedback.

Executing Survey Closure

A computer screen displaying the SurveyMonkey dashboard with a survey highlighted. A mouse cursor clicks on the "Close Survey" button, confirming the closure process

Closing a survey on SurveyMonkey involves several key steps to ensure proper completion and data management. The process requires attention to detail and careful handling of remaining responses and results.

Initiating Survey Closure

To close a survey, navigate to the Collect Responses section of your SurveyMonkey dashboard. Locate the specific collector you wish to close and click on its status. This action toggles the collector from open to closed. A confirmation prompt may appear, asking to verify the closure decision.

For surveys with web links, closing the collector prevents new responses. However, partially completed responses may still be submitted within a set timeframe. Consider adjusting this setting if immediate closure is necessary.

SurveyMonkey also offers scheduled closures. Set an end date and time in the collector settings to automate survey closure. This feature is particularly useful for time-sensitive surveys or those with predetermined durations.

Managing Remaining Responses

After initiating closure, it’s crucial to manage any remaining responses. Check for partially completed surveys and decide whether to include them in the final dataset. SurveyMonkey allows customization of the closure message displayed to late respondents.

Review response limits if they were set for the survey. Ensure all collected data falls within these parameters. For surveys with multiple collectors, close each one individually to maintain data integrity across different distribution channels.

Consider exporting raw data before final closure to preserve a snapshot of responses at that specific point in time. This practice can be helpful for future reference or analysis.

Analyzing Closed Survey Results

Once a survey is closed, focus shifts to analyzing the collected data. Access the Analyze Results section in SurveyMonkey to view comprehensive reports and insights. Utilize built-in tools to generate visual representations of data, such as charts and graphs.

Filter and compare responses based on various criteria to uncover meaningful patterns. SurveyMonkey’s cross-tabulation feature allows for in-depth analysis of relationships between different questions and responses.

Export results in various formats for further analysis or presentation. Consider using external tools for advanced statistical analysis if needed. Remember to maintain respondent confidentiality when sharing or presenting survey results.

For those seeking alternative form creation options, Formifyr offers a user-friendly platform to design and distribute surveys.