Tools- of Changes

Measuring Pro-Environmental Behavioural Determinants Using Closed-Answer Surveys

This literature review provides practical advice for developing closed-answer surveys that robustly and usefully measure key determinants of pro-environmental behaviour.

The authors reviewed 177 papers published during 2013–2023. They found seven types of question formats used, including scales (Likert scales, semantic scales and a pictorial scale), multiple-choice questions (where respondents could select either one or more answer options), binary questions and ranking questions. They then synthesized design considerations both specifically for each format and more broadly across surveys. These considerations included using validated measures, reducing cognitive burden and biases (e.g. social desirability bias, order effects, recall bias), selecting the question format (e.g. different formats of multiple-choice or binary questions) and using best practices for scale questions.