Influence of Language On the Interpretation of Satisfaction Surveys in Professional Training: A Systematic Review and Linguistic Perspective

Authors

  • Jessica Uribe Navarrete

    University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

    University Institute of Educational Sciences (IUCE), Salamanca, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i4.8818
Received: 21 February 2025 | Revised: 21 March 2025 | Accepted: 24 March 2025 | Published Online: 26 March 2025

Abstract

This systematic review examines how linguistic structures influence the interpretation of satisfaction surveys within professional training contexts. Guided by Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and the Theory of Discourse Evaluation (TDE), this study analyzes 39 empirical articles published between 2018 and 2024 in Scopus-indexed journals. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, studies were systematically identified, screened, and synthesized, while the GRADE methodology was applied to assess evidence quality. The findings reveal that linguistic elements, such as ambiguous wording, implicit evaluative terms, and culturally biased phrasing, significantly impact the validity of survey responses. The reviewed literature shows a dominance of quantitative methodologies, with limited integration of mixed-methods and discourse analysis. Three major gaps were identified: the absence of comparative studies on survey models, the lack of research addressing emotional and motivational factors in satisfaction assessment, and the narrow contextual focus on academic and corporate settings. The study emphasizes the necessity of incorporating CDA and TDE frameworks in survey design to mitigate discursive biases and enhance instrument validity. It also calls for linguistic validation practices and the inclusion of socio-emotional dimensions in satisfaction measurement. The review contributes to applied linguistics and training evaluation by providing practical recommendations for survey designers to ensure culturally sensitive, reliable, and methodologically robust instruments. Ultimately, this research underscores that language is a key determinant of data quality in training evaluations and not merely a technical aspect of survey construction.

Keywords:

Language in Surveys; Satisfaction in Training; Training Evaluation; PRISMA Methodology; GRADE Analysis

References

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How to Cite

Navarrete, J. U. (2025). Influence of Language On the Interpretation of Satisfaction Surveys in Professional Training: A Systematic Review and Linguistic Perspective. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(4), 128–141. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i4.8818

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Vol. 7 , Iss. 4 (April 2025): In Progress

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