Survey
Useful for describing patterns across a defined group. Requires careful sampling, accessible wording, privacy safeguards and a clear analysis plan.
Tech4Humanity · Human Impact Observatory
See how research can work
These examples demonstrate the kinds of questions, instruments and methods the Observatory can make visible. They are illustrative examples, not live surveys, completed studies or empirical findings unless a page explicitly says otherwise.
Sample survey questions
Example questions for testing clarity, relevance and participant burden before any real study is launched.
Everyday technology and human outcomes
- Describe a recent situation in which a digital tool changed how you completed a task.
- Did it make the task easier, harder, safer, less predictable or something else?
- What did you have to give up or contribute to get that benefit?
- Was the outcome different for other people involved?
- What would you want a researcher to measure to understand the impact?
Illustrative only. Not an active survey and no responses are being collected here.
Choose a method that fits the question
Interview
Useful for understanding experience, context and meaning. Requires informed consent, a transparent protocol and disciplined interpretation.
Observation or task study
Useful for examining what happens in a real or controlled setting. Requires clear measures, context and safeguards against overgeneralising.
Longitudinal study
Useful for understanding change over time. Requires repeatable measures, retention planning and explicit treatment of attrition.
Evidence synthesis
Useful for mapping what existing research says and where it is uncertain. Requires transparent search, inclusion and quality-appraisal methods.
Co-design workshop
Useful for improving research relevance and participant experience. Contributions inform design; they are not automatically empirical findings.
What an example is — and is not
A sample question is not a validated measure. A proposed study is not a completed study. A scenario narrative is not an observed event. An evidence summary should identify its sources, method, limitations and confidence.
Help improve these examples.
Tell us which questions are missing, which methods need to be explained better and where participant experience should shape the design.
Contribute to the research