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Hey Reader 👋🏾

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Let’s talk about screener surveys. Because it doesn’t matter how polished your research plan is—if you’re talking to the wrong people, your insights are going to fall flat.

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And I’ve been there. You wrap a session and think,

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“That person was nice... but not the user I needed.”

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The good news? It’s fixable. And it starts with writing a screener that works for you, not against you.

Here's how to do it:

1. Start with your research goal

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Before you write a single question, ask: What am I trying to learn? Once you’re clear on the goal, define who can best help you answer it. Your screener should filter in those people.

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For example, if you’re testing a feature for new freelancers, go beyond “Are you a freelancer?” and ask something like, “How many clients have you worked with in the past 3 months?”

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That kind of specificity helps you recruit intentionally.

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2. Use disqualifiers with care

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Make sure your questions help you rule out folks who aren’t a match, without making it feel personal. A simple question like “Have you purchased a smart phone online in the past 6 months?” can help you screen effectively.

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Is the research question you’re answering directly related to this journey or can users with similar experiences provide relevant context?

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3. Don’t tip your hand​

Avoid leading language that reveals the “right” answer. Instead of asking, “How much do you enjoy using our app?” try “How often do you use [App Name]?” with clearly defined options like Daily, Weekly, or Never.

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This helps you collect honest, useful data.

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4. Keep it simple and clear

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Your screener should be easy to read and quick to complete. Use plain language, skip the jargon, and make sure questions flow in a logical order.

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If it feels like a quiz, you may be requiring too much cognitive load from your potential respondents.

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Aim for a smooth, human experience always.

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5. Use open-ended questions sparingly

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These can be helpful for gauging tone or experience, but they take time to review and aren’t easy to filter. One or two well-placed open-ends are enough.

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For example: “What was the last online service you paid for, and why?” gives you behavioral insight without overloading your process.

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Pro tip: Always test your screener before you launch it. A few dry runs will help you catch confusing wording or unexpected responses. Small edits earlier can save you time (and budget) later, trust me.

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You’ve got this and I’ve got your back!

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Your UXR Coach, Eniola

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