Survey Research Methodology
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Transcript of Survey Research Methodology
DEFINITION
Survey studies are usually used to find the fact by collecting the data directly from population or sample.
A means of gathering information by asking a set of questions to a sample of respondents who represent a population with specific characteristics
STEPS
Survey method based on following stepsPlanningSamplingConstructing the instrumentConstructing the surveyProcessing the data
PLANNING
Survey research begins with a question that the researcher believes can be answered most appropriately by means of the survey method.
The researcher needs to decide on the data-gathering technique that will be used.
SAMPLING
The researcher must make decisions about the sampling procedure that will be used and the size of the sample to survey.
If one is to generalize the sample findings to the population, it is essential that the sample selected be representative of that population.
CONSTRUCTING THE INSTRUMENT
A major task in survey research is the construction of the instrument that will be used to gather the data from the sample.
CONDUCTING THE SURVEY
Once the data-gathering instrument is prepared, it must be field-tested to determine if it will be provide the desired data.
Also included in this step would be training of the users of the instrument, interviewing subjects or distributing questionnaires to them, and verifying the accuracy of the data gathered.
PROCESSING THE DATA
The last step includes: Coding the data, Statistical analysis, Interpreting the results Reporting the findings.
VALIDITYValidity is the extent to which the survey information
is relevant to the conclusion being drawn and is sufficiently accurate and complete to support the conclusion.
RELIABILITYReliability, is the degree to which the questions used
in a survey elicit the same type of information each time they are used under the same conditions.
LIMITATIONS
It is charged that survey information touches only the surface of the research field and does not make a deeper thrust into it.
Sometimes if sample information's have not been collected very carefully, the magnitude of sampling error may be too large to render the sample results reasonably accurate.
.
It is also charged with demanding of more time, effort and money.
Insecurity limiting access to the population of concern.
The lack of funding necessary to carry out a survey.
ETHICS IN SURVEY METHOD
No harm is done to any survey respondent,No survey respondent is unduly pressured or
made to feel obligated to participate in a survey.Respondents should be informed about the
purpose of the survey and have the option not to participate or not to disclose information that he or she feels not comfortable with
The names and addresses of survey respondents should not be made available to anyone outside those involved in the survey after the responses have been entered into the computer
No individual suffers any adverse consequences as a result of the survey.
Tools
Questionnaire Questionnaires are usually paper-and-pencil instruments that the respondent completes.
Mailed Questionnaire Web SurveyGroup Administered QuestionnaireHousehold Drop-off Survey Questionnaire
Mailed Questionnaire
Often much of the same information can be obtained by means of a questionnaire that is
mailed to each individual in the sample, with a request that it be completed and
returned at a given date.
Web Survey
A more recent method of data collection is using the web. The questionnaire is uploaded to a
website such as Survey Monkey and QuestionPro and respondents are invited to
respond to the questionnaire.
Group Administered Questionnaire This questionnaire is administered to a group of people at a certain
place for a specific purpose.
Household Drop-off Survey Questionnaire In this approach, a researcher goes to the respondent's home or business and hands the
respondent the instrument.
STRENGTHS OF SURVEY METHOD
High Representativeness Low Costs Convenient Data Gathering Good Statistical Significance Little or No Observer Subjectivity Precise Results
WEAKNESSES OF SURVEY METHOD
Inflexible Design Not Ideal for Controversial Issues Possible Inappropriateness of Questions