Design a Survey Using Microsoft Word, Then Evaluate the Data Using Microsoft Access

First, plan your survey on paper, working either in groups or by yourself.

Start Microsoft Word, and make sure a new, blank document is open.

Across the top of the survey, type a title and any other heading you need, such as your name, the date, or the name of the assignment.

Type your survey questions and possible responses for each question in the survey.

Tip: Click the Numbering button to have the questions and possible responses numbered automatically. However, if you notice that automatic numbering is not working well for your survey, you can turn off this mode by clicking the Tools menu, then AutoCorrect, and then AutoFormat As You Type. Clear the Automatic numbered lists selection to disable this feature.

Tip: A table works well in a survey because often each question has a variety of choices. Look at the sample below, and try to integrate Word tables into your classroom survey as appropriate. To create a table, on the Table menu, click Insert Table.
Sample survey question using a table (4 columns by 3 rows):
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

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Have your teacher approve your survey, then save and print it.

Hand out your survey for others to complete, or interview people in person (this is called a one-on-one survey). Once the surveys are filled out, it is time to enter the data into a database in Microsoft Access.

Start Access, and begin from a new Blank database. Name the new file (for example, Favorite Food Survey), and save it to your folder on the computer.

Create a new Table in Design View by typing a field name to represent each question in the survey. Keep each field a Text field, and type any descriptions needed. Save your new table-no primary field is needed. Below are some sample field names for a survey about people's favorite foods (notice that the numbers represent each question):

Enter the data into the table. If you'd rather enter data while viewing one record at a time, create a form. (To create a new form, on the main Objects view, make sure the new table is selected in the list, and then click the New Object: AutoForm button (lightning bolt) on the toolbar.)

Once the survey data is entered, use the Sort and Filter commands on the data to view different results of the survey. Try printing the different views of your data before removing any filters.

Helpful Hint: Have students number their surveys so the class will be able to identify which survey is which. If the whole class is entering surveys into the same database, make sure each survey has a unique number.