At The Happiness Index we have chosen not to include a back button on our survey response templates. Whilst some survey providers allow respondents to go back and change their answers we have decided against it for the following reasons:

Response Accuracy

Without a back button, respondents can’t go back and change their answers. This tends to lead to more accurate data as respondents can’t go back and change their minds and potentially ‘water down’ their response.

Survey Flow and Progress

By not having a back button participants are encouraged to move forward through the survey and maintain a logical flow which provides clarity for respondents.

Preventing Bias

Allowing respondents to go back and change previous answers might introduce a bias by giving them the opportunity to adjust previous responses based on later questions. Removing the back button helps to maintain the integrity of responses.

Time Efficiency

Without the ability to go back, participants are likely to complete the survey more quickly, reducing the time and effort required to gather data.

Focused User Experience

Removing the back button keeps respondents focused on the current question and prevents distraction or confusion caused by revisiting previous questions.

Survey Design Simplicity

Not having a back button helps to simplify the survey response screen and streamlines the user interface.

Reducing Survey Fatigue

If a survey is lengthy, allowing participants to go back and forth might contribute to survey fatigue. By eliminating the back button, respondents are encouraged to complete the survey without feeling overwhelmed.