The instrument itself will influence the respondents' attitudes toward the importance of the topic being evaluated. Favorable impressions are essential for cooperation and serious mindsets. The following will elicit favorable impressions: Use quality paper of a pastel color, and print on one side using only medium-size type. Provide short, concise directions to avoid respondent confusion.

Make sure spelling and grammar are correct and avoid abbreviations. Allow enough room for proper spacing of items and make sure questions are logically or sequentially arranged. Place the most important items at the beginning of the questionnaire and provide examples to illustrate questions that are difficult to understand. If written responses are necessary, leave adequate space. Often the space for written responses is left blank if the questions appear to be redundant or if the survey is too long.