Bernhard Schieber

Communication Surveys: Measure a Defined Construct Not Communication in General

Communication · Executive Insight Brief · 186

A survey needs an object

Decision-led design turns employee or stakeholder self-report into evidence without inventing a universal questionnaire in organizational practice.

Premise

A survey described simply as measuring communication has no stable object. Timeliness, access, clarity, credibility, channel use, satisfaction, feedback, and psychological safety are different constructs requiring different questions. The executive discipline is to begin with the decision and evidence gap, then design the shortest survey respondents can answer reliably. Digital distribution, anonymity, or a census invitation does not compensate for an undefined construct or biased response process.

Communication Survey — A survey needs an object. Executive Insight Brief 186 by Bernhard Schieber.

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What these mean

Editorial orientation · Family

Tool

In this series, Tool names the editorial family primarily used to act on, examine, measure or organize communication. It includes instruments, methods, practices, protocols, codes and institutional arrangements. Membership does not certify effectiveness, portability or safe use in every setting.

Editorial orientation · Category

Research & Analysis Methods

Establishes procedures for collecting, coding, comparing or interpreting information for inquiry or analysis. Its contribution is a defensible route from observations or materials to an account, finding or interpretation.

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