The choice of question format directly impacts the respondent’s experience.
At Amélio, we tailor our recommendations according to the type and purpose of each survey. 👌
For One-Time or Diagnostic Surveys
In one-time surveys such as engagement diagnostics, we recommend using a consistent question format throughout the questionnaire.
This approach offers two main advantages:
It provides a smooth and intuitive experience for employees, who don’t need to adapt to different response styles.
It simplifies result analysis for managers by presenting data in a uniform format within dashboards.
The two formats most commonly used in diagnostic surveys are:
Likert scale questions (1 to 7) that measure the level of agreement with a statement.
Multiple-choice questions that are used to capture specific, nuanced perceptions.
For Automated or Recurring Surveys
For automated cycles (e.g., monthly pulse surveys), we recommend using a mix of question formats to avoid respondent fatigue and keep engagement high over time.
You can alternate between:
1-to-7 scale questions
Multiple-choice questions
Emoji-based satisfaction questions
This variety keeps the experience fresh and allows organizations to explore different ways of framing similar ideas.
Recommended Scales in Amélio
Amélio’s preferred scale questions are based on the Likert model.
✅ Our analyses show that the 1-to-7 scale is the most effective format for engagement surveys.
It provides respondents with enough nuance to express their perceptions clearly, while remaining simple to interpret.
The 1-to-7 range strikes the ideal balance between clarity and nuance.
Fewer than 5 points limits precision and enforces overly polarized choices.
More than 10 points adds unnecessary granularity. The differences between scores become subjective, which increases interpretation bias.
Want to find out more about the 1-to-7 scale? Follow this link: Why use a 1 to 7 scale in surveys?
How Do the Question Types Contribute to Engagement Calculations?
Only scale and multiple-choice questions are included in Amélio’s engagement score calculations.
To learn more about these calculations:
Other formats, such as checkboxes or open-text responses, are used to contextualize results and identify possible actions.
Question Type | Example or Objective | Included in Engagement Calculation? |
Likert Scale (1–7) | Measure agreement or perception (e.g., “I feel supported by my manager.”) | ✅ Yes |
Multiple Choice | Select one option among several (e.g., “How often do you work beyond normal hours?”) | ✅ Yes |
Checkboxes | Identify multiple factors or causes (e.g., “Which elements could be improved to better support you?”) | ❌ No |
Open Text / Comments | Provide additional context or suggest ideas for improvement | ❌ No |
Ranking | Identify priorities | ✅ Yes |
Voting | Identify popular opinions | ❌ No |
Specialized Amélio Question | Measures key indicators (e.g., 2-year stability, eNPS) | ✅ Yes, non-editable |
Specialized Questions and Fixed Formats
⚠️ Some Amélio questions are specialized and non-editable. They are fixed responses because they are used to build specific reports, such as the Organizational Health Dashboard and mobilization reports, which are available to managers.
These questions follow a strict statistical structure to ensure:
Accurate calculation methodologies
Comparability of results across organizations
Customizing Questions to Your Culture
Beyond these specialized questions, all other questions in the Amélio models can be adapted to better reflect your organization’s language, values, and reality. 💫
You can:
Reword items to make them more concrete
Adjust terminology to match internal language
Add your own questions inspired by Amélio’s engagement factors
Remove non-relevant items
Include group-specific questions (e.g., for remote workers)
This flexibility ensures that surveys remain true to the Amélio model while resonating authentically with your employees.
✨ Learn how to do this effectively in our article: Practical Tips for Reviewing and Drafting a Survey Questionnaire