There are many, many, many survey platforms that you can choose from. Here are three:
 

1. Survey Monkey

 
Pros: It has a free version that allows for 10 questions, 100 respondents, and light theme customization and templates.
 
Cons: It doesn’t export your data.
 

1. Google Forms

Pros: Free version includes unlimited surveys, unlimited respondents, survey answers collected directly in Google Spreadsheets, theme options, skip logic, and ability to imbed surveys into emails or website.
 
Cons: Couldn’t find one!
 

1. Qualtrics

 
Pros: Free version includes limited surveys and respondents, great variety of question types, theme options, forced response, customized scale points. Data is downloadable to a spreadsheet.
 
Cons: You will have to pay a fee to use the full versions.

Survey design is a complex task. There are best practices for creating surveys. Here are some survey pitfalls that we all need to avoid in order to get better data:
 

1. Not using the research or study objectives as guides when formulating the survey questions.
2. Using questions with multiple meanings.
3. Using questions with technical jargon.
4. Using open-ended questions rather than multiple choice.
5. In multiple choice answers, using responses that overlap.
6. Using very long sentences or questions.
7. Using double negatives.
8. Asking unnecessary details.
9. Not testing the survey.
10. Including unnecessary questions.

Participatory Asset Mapping is a process where community members create asset maps by identifying and providing the information about their own community’s assets on a map. It is an important tool to recognizing human capital and the capacity of individuals to use their own talents to create positive structures in their communities.
 

1. In advocacy and Policy: mapping the availability or lack of community assets can present a powerful tool when trying to support policy changes.

 

1. In community outreach: mapping may be use as a way to help visualize the networks of service organizations, neighborhood associations, and other groups that exist to serve the community. These new connections can serve as a means to outreach to a wider span of the community to further strengthen community resources.

 

1. In community organizing: by involving the community members in the creation of asset maps, the process itself can be an organizing tool. 

Evidence-based programs (EBP) have been rigorously evaluated for effectiveness. That means that researchers have tested the programs using random assignment of people in the intervention/implementation group. Then, the evaluation methods are also examined carefully by experts in the field (not just the program developers). Once everyone is satisfied with the results of the program the developers often submit the program to certain federal agency for consideration. These federal organizations certify the program as EBP.
 
It is important to remember that just because a program contains research-based components it does not mean that the program is an EBP, unless it is also scientifically tested. There are many places where organizations may look for an evidence-based program. Here are a few.

Evidence Based Programs:

• Best Practices Registry for Suicide Prevention
  
• Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, Blueprints for Violence Prevention
  
• The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
  
• Exemplary and Promising Safe, Disciplined and Drug-Free Schools Programs
  
• Helping America’s Youth
  
• Northeast Center for the Application of Prevention Technology (CAPT) Database of Prevention Programs
  
• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) Model Programs Guide
  
• Promising Practices Network on Children, Families and Communities
  
• Social Programs that Work, Coalition for Evidenced-Based Policy
  
• Strengthening America’s Families: Effective Family Programs for Prevention of Delinquency
  
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices
  
• Youth Violence: A Report of the Surgeon General