Forms Unveiled: Google, Surveys, Quizzes, and Polls

A form refers to a structured document with a fixed layout, which is used to gather the required data for communication and transfer it to another entity in a meaningful way. Numerous types of documents come to mind when you think of a form. You may think of a survey, a job application, a service request, a purchase order, or a tax return. However, there are other types of forms that we don't typically consider as such. Remember, you also fill out a form when you vote, cast a check or money order, agree to terms, or accept browser cookies. [1]

What is a form document?

Form documents establish the foundation of the administrative process. In order to make data retrieval easier in the future, forms gather registration information from residents, customers, students, or any other group connected to a company, government, institution, or organization.[2]

There are some types of form documents in printed documents and web forms. Usually, they are in PDF format, but they can also occasionally be found in (.doc) or other widely used file types. Form documents in (.pdf) format are electronic versions of printed forms. They are frequently sent to the respondent electronically (e.g., via email or web download). They can be printed, completed, scanned into another PDF, and electronically delivered.[3]

What is an electronic form?

What we mean by an electronic form or E-form is a computer version of a paper form. E-forms can be filled out more quickly since the programming related to them can automatically format, look up, calculate and validate information for the user. This eliminates the cost of printing, storing, and distributing pre-printed forms and decreases the number of obsolete forms. Cycle times for approval can be significantly shortened by using digital signatures and email routing. You can save the expense and errors of rekeying data by submitting filled-out forms electronically.[4]

Google Forms allows users to collaboratively create, edit or share forms, surveys, and quizzes. Teachers can use Google Forms and create tailored quizzes to assess their students quickly. The app can also be used to give and receive feedback from students and even their parents. Students can use Google Forms to evaluate their learning, set learning goals, and collect research projects.

Creating surveys allows you to collect the information you need from users using Google Forms. The information can then be connected to a spreadsheet on Google Sheets to record the responses automatically. The spreadsheet then populates in real time with the quiz or survey replies. As a result, Google Forms is one of the simplest ways to save data to a spreadsheet.

With Google Forms, you may use a simple web form to launch different surveys, collect RSVPs, or create quizzes for your students. You may invite everyone to participate by sharing your form via email, a direct link, or sharing it on social media.

What Can You Do with Forms?

Google Forms is a web-based application that allows users to create quizzes, surveys, registration sheets, or web input forms. It can be accessed with a free Google account for personal use or a Workspace account for business use. The tool is commonly used by students and teachers alike, but it can also be used for data collection purposes in various settings.

Creating a form with Google Forms is a straightforward process that requires no technical expertise. Once a user creates a form, they can share it with others through email or a link to a web page generated automatically by Google Forms. Respondents can access the form without signing in, and their responses will be automatically added to a Google spreadsheet for later analysis.

One of the benefits of Google Forms is its versatility. It can be used for various purposes, such as communicating with customers through surveys and questionnaires. Responses can be viewed individually or as a group, making it easy to analyze the data collected.

This convenient tool simplifies the process of data collection and analysis. It offers an efficient way to communicate with customers and gather feedback, making it a valuable tool for businesses and individuals.

To convert the response data into a Google Docs document or Google Sheets spreadsheet, you can use the Form Publisher add-on.

In this section, we aim to clarify the differences between a survey, a quiz, and a poll. It's not uncommon for people to get confused between these terms and end up creating the wrong type of assessment. Think of a time you were asked to make a survey, but you prepared a kind of quiz or you may have intended to make a quiz but ended up creating a poll,  No worries! We are here to clarify things and help you better understand the distinctions between these three terms.

What is a quiz?

A quiz tends to test someone’s knowledge informally. A quiz can be a written or verbal set of questions usually presented briefly, whose actual aim is the required testing for any educational setting or workplace advancement. Quiz results are graded, and most of the time, they are shared with the respondent.

What is a poll?

A poll aims to record someone’s opinions or votes. A poll can ve administered in various ways and is often attempted by a random sample of people. A poll is conducted to collect general data on trends on a societal level (such as elections), and its result will be represented through charted or graphed percentages.

What is a survey?

A survey aims to generate complex feedback and not just basic data. It is more interactive than a poll and requires the participants to detail their reasoning, expectations, and experience and provide suggestions if they have any. For more insights regarding surveys, quizzes, and polls engage in our Google Forms Online Training.

References

[1] https://www.123formbuilder.com/blog/what-is-a-form/

[2] https://www.123formbuilder.com/blog/what-is-a-form/

[3] https://www.123formbuilder.com/blog/what-is-a-form/

[4] https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/e-form/

[5] https://www.surveycrest.com/

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