Editing UNITA Agile Management Guide (section)

=== Decalogue for surveys ===

'''Decalogue of recommendations for conducting mindful and effective surveys'''

# '''Consider Alternative Means:''' Evaluate if there are alternative methods to gather information besides a survey. For instance, direct interviews with key stakeholders or focus groups or existing data sources may provide relevant insights without the need for a survey.
# '''Avoid Overlapping Surveys:''' Coordinate with other WPs to avoid overlapping surveys targeting the same audience. This prevents survey fatigue and ensures higher response rates. To do so, insert the survey as event on the Datacloud shared calendar (UNITA_ALL sub-calendar) and inform WP co-leaders and UNITA Offices.
# '''Define Clear Objectives:''' Clearly outline the purpose and goals of the survey before initiating any data collection and inform the respondents. Ensure that the objectives align with the needs of the project.
# '''Organize Workshops for Buy-in:''' Host workshops or meetings to involve the target audience and right afterwords administer the survey. This ensures buy-in, encourages participation, and fosters collaboration.
# '''Use open-source tools:''' Preferably use open-source tools such as Limesurvey through the UNITA Virtual Campus or similar.
# '''Ensure GDPR Compliance and informed consent:''' Adhere to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) guidelines to protect the privacy and data of survey respondents. Obtain informed consent (Disclaimer example in the following page), anonymize data, and ensure secure data storage and transmission.
# '''Design Surveys with Care:''' Develop survey questions carefully, keeping them concise, relevant, and easy to understand. Provide definitions, if the case, to avoid misunderstanding and to obtain comparable data. Use a mix of closed-ended and open-ended questions to gather quantitative and qualitative data. Take care that, in the case of open-ended questions, they are phrased in such a way as to guide the answer as much as possible toward the objective of the question, avoiding very general questions. Be mindful of sensitive or indiscreet questions - consulting the WP leaders and relevant Vice Rectors/Presidents - and of the international scale of our alliance, by avoiding ambiguous terms or terms of exclusively local use. In formulating questions, pay attention to meeting the requirements of gender, sexual orientation and social inclusion in its broadest definition of the term.
# '''Promote Participation:''' Create awareness about the survey through multiple communication channels, such as emails, conversation groups on Datacloud Talk and newsletters. Highlight the importance of participation and emphasize anonymity.
# '''Provide Feedback Mechanisms:''' Establish clear channels for providing feedback on survey results to the UNITA community. This fosters transparency and demonstrates commitment to acting on the feedback received.
# '''Follow-Up Actions:''' Analyze survey results promptly and identify key findings and actionable insights. Develop a plan to address areas of improvement or concerns raised by the responders. Communicate findings and actions taken to the WP and the Management Committee to demonstrate responsiveness and accountability.