Survey research in dermatology: guidelines for success.

Survey research has been used to investigate a wide range of issues in dermatology. The proper use of survey design and analysis is critical for achieving reliable, accurate data and high impact in the medical literature. Here we describe the use of surveys from both a theoretical and practical standpoint. We provide recommendations for limiting error and producing interpretable results, followed by an outline for achieving publication. We conclude with a discussion of previous successful uses of survey studies in dermatologic literature.