Google Docs: We’ll do it for you!
Posted by Brad J. Ward | Posted in Free, Google, How-To Tuesday, Recruitment, Research, Technology, Web | Posted on 09-02-2008
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I have long been a supporter of Google Docs, and a recent update just made me that much more excited to continue to spread the love to others.
This post will supplement my previous post on how to create a form in Google Docs. The latest update is that Google Docs will now compile data for you! Here are some screenshots.
First, open your spreadsheet/form and then click to edit form.
After that, just hit ‘View Responses’.
Voila! A quick look at your statistics so far. When you’re compiling several hundred responses, it’s a great way to view data without doing all of your number crunching early.
Googled it, google search, google, internt search engine, google, i googled it, used google, google, google…..
Wait, where were we? 
It spits out some nice bar and circle graphs as well.
So there you have it. If you have not tried to run a survey or form through Google Docs yet, give it a try! Very easy to use.
Is this an accessible survey form? I’d love to survey some of the students who use our Disability Resource Center.
Marilyn – that’s a good question. I am not that familiar with web accessibility standards, but here is a sample form that you can check:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pjG19CBpNu8d7xumKr_xaQw&hl=en
How does it stack up to survey monkey?
In terms of reporting, I have not done a lot with survey monkey. The ease of Google and integration into my current workflow will sell it over SM for me every time, though.
I think Google Docs is miles ahead of SM in terms of how it looks, though. I shudder every time someone on staff sends a SM link to students, it’s just plain ugly.
I do love the manner in which you have framed this situation and it really does supply me a lot of fodder for thought. On the other hand, from what precisely I have seen, I only hope when other opinions pile on that individuals remain on issue and in no way get started on a tirade associated with the news du jour. Yet, thank you for this outstanding piece and whilst I can not really agree with this in totality, I respect the viewpoint.