Computer-assisted systems and methods for determining effectiveness of survey question

1. A computer-assisted method for determining a potential effectiveness of a survey question, comprising the activities of:

segregating a plurality of responses to a survey question into a plurality of categories;

determining a response distribution for each of the plurality of categories;

calculating a top box score and a difference score for the survey question from the response distributions; and

using the top box score and the difference score to obtain an effectiveness score for the survey question.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising evaluating the survey question based on the effectiveness score.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of categories are top 2 box categories.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of categories are top 3 box categories.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the response distribution for a category can be determined by dividing a number of responses associated with the category by a total number of the plurality of responses.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the top box score can be calculated by adding a top box response percent to a bottom box response percent, subtracting an ideal distribution of neutrals percent, and multiplying an absolute value of a result by 100.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the difference score can be calculated by subtracting a bottom box response percent from a top box response percent and multiplying an absolute value of a result by 100.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the top box score can be added to the difference score to obtain the effectiveness score.

9. A machine-readable medium storing instructions for activities comprising:

segregating a plurality of responses to a survey question into a plurality of categories;

determining a response distribution for each of the plurality of categories;

calculating a top box score and a difference score for the survey question from the response distributions; and

using the top box score and the difference score to obtain an effectiveness score for the survey question.

10. An apparatus for determining a potential effectiveness of a survey question, comprising:

means for segregating a plurality of responses to a survey question into a plurality of categories;

means for determining a response distribution for each of the plurality of categories;

means for calculating a top box score and a difference score for the survey question from the response distributions; and

means for using the top box score and the difference score to obtain an effectiveness score for the survey question.