Steve Tippins Ph.D.Helping doctoral students get their dissertation accepted, succeed in their careers, & change the world | Academic Career Advisor | Dissertation Chair & Founder, Beyond PhD Coaching | 35 + years of experience.

I Wish Every Doctoral Student Knew This

30 Apr 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:39

In this brief instructional video, the speaker clarifies a common confusion for doctoral students by distinguishing between a questionnaire and a survey. He explains that a questionnaire is the specific instrument used to collect data, whereas a survey encompasses the entire process—including sampling, distribution, data collection, and analysis—of which the questionnaire is just one component. He emphasizes that dissertation committees expect students to articulate both concepts clearly. The video concludes with a call to action, inviting viewers to comment "help" to receive a link to a free Dissertation Help Community.

Chapters

How do I differentiate between a survey and a questionnaire? First thing I want to look at: are we trying to explain a tool or a process? A questionnaire is an instrument or a tool. The survey is the process, and that process can include sampling, distributing the questionnaires, collecting responses, analyzing responses. But the questionnaire is the instrument used to gather information. Your committee wants you to explain both of them clearly. Drop the word "help" in the comment below, and I'll send you the link to our free Dissertation Help Community.