Shruti Murthy

Survey- An Introduction & Objectives

 Latin: sur (over), videre (to see) a careful general or comprehensive view of anything (v.) A detailed inspection or investigation (n.) Specifically investigations about populations To define Survey- any kind of observational/nonexperimental investigation involving systematic collection of information.

ESSENTIALLY, a survey is
Observational study of any kind Brief operation/ long term surveillance / repeated interviews or examinations Concerned with groups/populations Basic tool of research in a community Can be:
For a particular end-result, e.g. a prevalence survey, By the use of a particular method, e.g. aerial survey, Combination, e.g. seroepidemiological.

Objectives
Planning & Eval ati n f ealt r grams Efficiency & Effectiveness f ealt r gram

New information about disease/ ealt roblem

Acc rate,Standardized inf rmati n about disease/ ealt roblem

Surveys- An Introduction & Objectives

Classification of Surveys

Classification
Surveys differ:
Purpose Coverage/scope Method of administration Objectives Time Dimension (longitudinal or cross-sectional)

Classification

Purpose urpose
Descriptive Analytic

Crosssectional

Longitudinal

Group-based
-Ecological -Trend

Individual-based
-Cross-sectional -Case-control -Cohort

E.g.: morbidity surveys household survey

Classification

Scope
Census -Tangible
Population Census, Entire population of a school

Pilot Survey
Large Scale Survey, Complicated design

At Risk Survey
For high risk groups

Sample -Tangible
National Sample Survey for TB 1958 - ICMR

-Intangible
Attitudes of parents of same school

-Intangible
Public opinion Polls

Classification

Objectives
Opinion Poll Survey- views of community on specific topic Morbidity Survey quantum of disease (Baseline Descriptive & Analytical Surveys Nutritional Survey- nutritional status of a community Entomological Survey- vectors of diseases- (type role) Feasibility Survey- acceptability of new food/ test/ programme KAP Survey, Evaluative Survey, etc
valuation)

Classification

Method of Administration

Written -Mail
-Drop off -Group-administered

Or l
-group interview -phone survey

Electronic -mail -Website -public

computers

Health Survey: Examples

Demographic
Interim

Health Surveys- Standard

Others- KAP, Panel, Benchmark, Specialized, Biomarker Key Indicator Surveys- family planning, maternal
health, child health, HIV/AIDS, and infectious diseases.

Specific Indicator Surveys- HIV, Malaria, etc. Service Provision Assessment

Surveys- An Introduction & Objectives Classification of Surveys

Survey Method

Survey Method
Designing Surveys Conducting Surveys Analyzing Survey Results Reporting Survey Results

Survey Method

Designing the survey

Reliability Factors:
Population Sampling Survey tool research question-logical link Question Bias Administrative

validity

Once designed, almost impossible to change

Survey Method

Conducting the survey

How to conduct- administering the tool Factors:
Convenient time Time frame Method of administration of the survey tool

Survey Tools
Written -Mail
-Drop off -Group-administered

Or l
-group interview -phone survey

Electronic -mail -Website -public

computers

Survey Method

Analyzing the survey results

Processing
Regular editing Charts

graphs

Analyzing
T-test, matched T-test, correlation, ANOVA, etc

Survey Method

Reporting the survey results

No established format Formal report- synopsis Informal- In conferences/ seminars/ departmental meetings Visual representation of results

Stages of a survey
1. 2. Formulate the objectives Planning & Execution of methods: a. The Study Population (whom?)
Define & Select Representative Sample Size

b. Variables (what characteristics to measure?)

Select & Define Scales of measurement

c. Data Collection
Direct observation/ documentary resources/ interviews/ questionnaires Detailed procedures & questions?

d. Data Recording & Processing

Analysis Plan, techniques for recording and processing

Surveys- An Introduction & Objectives Classification of Surveys Survey Method

Data Collection Tools

Data Collection Tools

Observation Interviews Self administered questionnaires Documentary sources Combination of the above
SECONDARY DATA! PRIMARY DATA!

Data collection tools

OBSERVATION
Use of techniques using
Simple visual observation special observation: clinical examination, biochemical/microbiological observations, etc.

Structured or unstructured
Systematic Investigator knows What to observe How to record Less systematic Investigator merely observes e.g.:socio-cultural studies

Data collection tools

QUESTIONNAIRE
A tool for data collection with predetermined questions to be filled in by respondent. Used when Many people, scattered Additional data gathering Self-administered/ schedule Mailed/ computer-assisted/ electronic Open ended/ close ended

Some close ended questionnaires:

Dichotomous questions MCQ Double barrel questions Cafeteria questions Rank order questions Rating questions
e.g. scale of 0-10

Calendar questions Filter questions

Some close ended questionnaires:

Data collection tools

INTERVIEW
a conversation between interviewers and interviewees with the purpose of eliciting certain information. Exchange ideas, elicit information about a wide area Face-to-face / Phone /Computer-assisted Structured or unstructured Video, audio recording, response sheet, unstructured notes

Consensus method
Survey opinions of a panel In-between IDI FGD
Discussion in specific phases only

Nominal Group Technique- silent generation of ideas in

writing, round-robin feedback of ideas, Serial discussion & vote, discussion of vote, final vote

Delphi Method

Delphi Technique

Project Delphi - cold war Accurate information doesn t exist/ impossible to get economically Typically Consists of: family of techniques An expert panel a series of rounds in which information is collected from panellists, analysed and fed back to them as the basis for subsequent rounds an opportunity for individuals to revise their judgments on the basis of this feedback some degree of anonymity for their individual contributions.

Documentary Sources
Clinical records Medical Audit- normative / empirical standards Hospital Statistics Death Certificates

Mortality Statistics

Notifications- notifiable diseases Registers-people with specific disorders Health diaries Census data Others- medical certificates, sick-absence records, medical insurance

Calendars- patient diaries

records, police records, school records, etc.

Surveys- An Introduction & Objectives Classification of Surveys Survey Method Data Collection Tools

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths
Relatively inexpensive (especially self-administered surveys) Describe the characteristics of a large population Administered from remote locations Very large samples are feasible- statistically significant results Many questions can be asked about a given topic Standardized questions-measurement more precise Standardization -similar data can be collected from groups High reliability easy to obtain

Weaknesses
Standardization- questions general enough to be minimally appropriate for all respondents, possibly missing what is most appropriate to many respondents. Inflexible Large response to be ensured Information bias

Reliability & Validity

Less valid, more reliable Less valid
- Only approximate indicators of real feelings (close-ended) - Even less in electronic surveys

More reliable
- standardized formats

Ethics & Response Rates

Ethics in e-surveys
Issue of concern Confidentiality vs. anonymity Sample representativeness Inference- who answers for whom?

Response rates- gradually dropping

Surveys- An Introduction & Objectives Classification of Surveys Survey Method Selection Data Collection Tools Strengths & Weaknesses

Summary

Summary
Describe what a survey is and the various stages of the process Differentiate between various types of survey methodologies Identify an appropriate target audience to sample Identify the most common mistakes in survey design to improve your results Recognize the importance of pre-testing surveys Review the process for launching a survey Recognize the major steps to follow to summarize survey information

Thank You!

References
http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/survey.php http://www.wou.edu/~gatimum/ed512/Ed%20512%20 Descriptive%20or%20survey%20research.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Samuel_Coleman http://www.scribd.com/doc/27561573/A-DescriptiveSurvey http://www.answers.com/topic/survey http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/research/survey

Survey method selection

Population Issues
Can the population be enumerated? E.g. homelesstelephone/mail surveys- impossible

Is the population literate? Adult illiteracy/very youngquestionnaires ruled out

Are there language issues? multiple versions Will the population cooperate? immigrants/ HIV What are the geographic restrictions? Widely
dispersed- personal visits impossible

Survey method selection Sampling Issues

Contact Information available about sample Who are the respondents? Can they be found? Busy/travelling/
night shifts

Can all members of population be sampled?

Incomplete sampling frame/migration

Are response rates likely to be a problem? Most difficult problems

Survey method selection

Question Issues
What types of questions can be asked? Open/closed
ended questionnaires? Personal questions?

How complex will the questions be? sub branches Will screening questions be needed? Can question sequence be controlled? Anticipating
follow up questions ? Is a sequence impossible to predict?

Will lengthy questions be asked? Can you expect a

subject to sit long enough for a phone interview?

Will long response scales be used? Multiple choices

in phone interviews?!

Survey method selection

Content Issues
Can the respondents be expected to know about the issue? Not updated with news/ newspaper/ TV?! Will respondent need to consult records? If yesinconvenient uncomfortable for the interview/interviewer?

28/08/2011 Surveys- Selecting the survey method

Survey method selection

Bias Issues
Can social desirability be avoided?
looking good in other s eyes!

Can interviewer distortion and subversion be controlled? Interviewer s preconceptions/ beliefs Can false respondents be avoided? Written
mail/electronic survey tools
28/08/2011 Surveys- Selecting the survey method

Survey method selection

Administrative Issues
Costs Facilities Time Personnel
28/08/2011 Surveys- Selecting the survey method