Survey Research Methods

Click to edit Master subtitle style

OVERVIEW OF SURVEY

5/31/12

OUTLINE

What is a Survey? Purpose of the Survey Advantages of Surveys Disadvantages of Surveys Types of Survey The Survey Process

5/31/12

WHAT IS A SURVEY ?
A survey is a systematic method of collecting data from a population of interest. It tends to be quantitative in nature and aims to collect information from a sample of the population such that the results are representative of the population. It involves constructing a set of questions that are either asked by means of a questionnaire or through an 5/31/12 interview .

THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY

The purpose of a survey is to collect quantitative information on the perceptions and opinions of a sample of people which adequately represent the population of interest. They are appropriate for measuring peoples perceptions, opinions, knowledge, attitudes, behavioral intentions, and behaviors. 5/31/12

ADVANTAGES OF SURVEYS
Can complete structured questions with

many stakeholders short time frame.

within a relatively

Can be completed by telephone, mail, fax,

or in-person.
It is quantifiable and generalizable to an

entire population if the sampled appropriately.

population 5/31/12

is

ADVANTAGES OF SURVEYS
Standardized,

structured minimizes interviewer bias.

questionnaire

Large

amount of information collected in short period of time.

can

be

Can take less time to analyze.

5/31/12

DISADVANTAGES OF SURVEYS

More difficult to collect a comprehensive

understanding of respondents perspective (in-depth information).

Can be very expensive.

Requires

some statistical knowledge, sampling and other specialized skills to process and interpret results. 5/31/12

TYPES OF SURVEYS
By scope: Census versus Sample Survey When the data collected from an entire population, the survey is called a census . When the data collected from a sample of population, the survey is called sample survey.
5/31/12

TYPES OF SURVEYS
By time frame: Longitudinal versus Crosssectional
In cross-sectional survey, a set of information

is collected for a sample at one point in time .

In

longitudinal survey, a set of information collected for a sample over time.

5/31/12

TYPES OF SURVEYS
By mode of data collection: Face to face, Mail, Telephone, Web, Directly administered
Personal or Face to face Interviews

It is a two way conversation in person initiated by an interviewer to obtain information from a respondent.
5/31/12

TYPES OF SURVEYS

Telephone Interviews

It is a two way conversation on telephone initiated by an interviewer to obtain information from a respondent.
5/31/12

TYPES OF SURVEYS
Mail Questionnaires

The information from a respondent is obtained by mailing questionnaires.

Electronic or Web Questionnaires

The information from a respondent is obtained by electronic or web 5/31/12 questionnaires.

THE SURVEY PROCESS

The survey process includes
Literature Search. Primary Research. Survey Design Survey Instrument Development. Analyze pilot testing/ revise. Survey Execution. Data Collection and Processing Data analysis.
5/31/12