Medewerkerstevredenheid

Complete Guide to Pulse Research: Steps, Tips, and Case Studies

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July 15, 2025
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3 minutes to read

When your organization is moving, you want to know what's going on. Especially now that the labor market is tight. Pulse research helps to gain interim insight in this regard.

Pulse research, also known as pulse surveys, is a powerful tool for keeping a finger on the pulse within your organization. Through regular, short measurements, you can quickly respond to changes. This way, you can easily monitor employee satisfaction, engagement and well-being. In this blog, we'll discuss exactly what pulse surveys are, how to do it properly, and how to deal with challenges such as survey fatigue.

What is Pulse Research?

Pulse questionnaires, or short surveys, are regular questionnaires that you take out among employees. The goal? Get a quick insight into your team's mood and needs. Unlike traditional annual surveys, pulse surveys are conducted more frequently and include brief questions. This makes pulse questionnaires an efficient way to continuously gather feedback and take action faster.

Comparison table: Pulse research and Annual survey

Criteria Pulse Onderzoek Jaarlijks Onderzoek
Frequentie Maandelijks of wekelijks Eén keer per jaar of 2 jaar
Diepgang van Informatie Gericht op specifieke onderwerpen Breed scala aan onderwerpen
Tijd per survey Kort Lang
Implementatiekosten Lager (per survey) Hoger (per survey)

The Practical Importance of Pulse Surveys

Pulse surveys offer organizations the opportunity to regularly collect feedback from employees. This helps to respond quickly to problems or areas for improvement. By short, recurring surveys to implement, the HR department can follow trends and changes, contributing to a proactive personnel policy.

This short surveys can focus on specific topics, but can also be used more widely to form an overall picture of the employee experience. This gives organizations the flexibility to adapt their strategies based on current feedback.

Benefits of Pulse Research

1. Faster Insight into what's going on

With a pulse survey, you can measure the mood among your employees within a few days and take immediate action. This helps to resolve issues before they escalate.

2. Increased Response

Because pulse surveys are short and frequent, there is a greater chance of high response rates. Employees are more likely to take part in a short survey that is conducted regularly.

3. Lower Costs than Traditional Survey

Pulse surveys require less resources and time than comprehensive annual surveys, making them more cost-effective for organizations of all sizes.

Research shows that companies that implement pulse surveys experience 30% higher employee retention due to the timely and targeted interventions that result from feedback.

How to Perform an Effective Pulse Study

A successful research requires careful planning and execution. Follow these steps for a successful pulse survey:

1. Define the Goals

Set clear goals. Do you want to measure employee satisfaction, increase engagement, or identify specific problems? With clear objectives, you ask specific and relevant questions.

2. Choose the Right Frequency

The frequency of pulse is crucial. Surveying too often can lead to survey fatigue. Choose a balance, for example monthly or quarterly, to retain valuable insights without overburdening employees.

3. Keep it Brief and Relevant

Pulse surveys are concise. Limit the number of questions to 10-15 per measurement and make sure they are in line with the current situation. Use a mix of closed and open-ended questions to gather both quantitative and qualitative data.

4. Guarantee Anonymity

Anonymity ensures that employees dare to give honest and open feedback. This leads to more sincere and useful answers. This is essential for high data quality. High data quality is again important for the effectiveness of your decisions.

5. Analyze and Communicate Results

Do you collect data? Then analyze them carefully and communicate the most important findings back to your employees. Show that their feedback is being taken seriously and use the insights to develop action plans.

Dealing with Survey Fatigue

Survey fatigue is a real risk when performing frequent surveys. Here's how to prevent it:

  1. Vary the Questions: Avoid asking the same questions over and over again. This maintains interest and prevents monotony.
  2. Communicate the Importance: Explain why their feedback is important and how it's used to make improvements.
  3. Feedback about Feedback: Show what is being done with the input of employees. This creates engagement and appreciation.
  4. Use Technology Solutions: Use smart tools and platforms to streamline the process and increase engagement. Deepler offers a platform that is specifically designed to prevent survey fatigue.

Conclusion

Pulse surveys are a powerful tool for HR professionals to measure the organization's pulse. With a well-executed pulse research you can gain valuable insights that contribute to a healthy and engaged work environment. Remember to choose the frequency of the surveys carefully and to prevent survey fatigue through variation and clear communication.

Want to know more about how to pulse research can use it effectively in your organization? Visit Deepler for more information and solutions.

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