Health Survey Research Clinical Scholars July 2005 Diane Martin 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Why Surveys for CS? Answer important questions Learn new skills primary data collection, especially in measurement Self admin. relatively inexpensive Complete within 2 years Write one results paper and one methods paper 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Examples of Surveys Estimate of moonlighting by residents and fellows nationally Effect of school advertisements on adolescent smoking Physician attitudes about Medicare reimbursement Physician adoption of a new electronic medical record 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Survey Research Large body of scientific evidence, lacking coordination ART of survey design Practical experience Tradeoff between methodological rigor and cost Two major types of research questions Describe (estimation) Explain associations (hyp. testing) 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Advantages of Surveys Collect information only respondent can answer Good for attitudes, beliefs, expectations, personal behaviors, subjective measures, individual experiences Information society 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Disadvantages of Surveys Respondent burden Nonresponse Negative influence of telemarketing Poor survey techniques 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Survey - Last Resort Are existing data sufficient? Can secondary data be abstracted? Can observations be made? 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Most Important Survey Principles Minimize errors throughout process Encourage response >65% Decrease respondent burden Use tailored design Define measures carefully Pay attention to detail 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Survey Content Don’t reinvent the wheel Keep it simple, short Move from a conceptual model with major variables to operational definitions of variables (measurement matrix) Format is crucial Aday book 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Survey Mode Choose mode appropriate for content and population Know mode advantages and disadvantages Interviews: in person, telephone, ACASI Self administered: in clinic, mail, computer/internet 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Total Survey Error Overall goal: decrease study error Know different types of errors Anticipate errors in all phases of study!! Understand how errors affect results Take errors into account in analysis and discussion Bob Groves book 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Tailored Survey Design Survey response is explained by Social Exchange Theory Actions of individuals motivated by expected return on their actions Create respondent trust Perceived rewards > costs Don Dillman book 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Ask for Advice Social scientists Statisticians Experts in specific methods Experts in content Family, friends, colleagues * Average folks 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Summary Survey - last resort Don’t reinvent the wheel Keep it short, simple Maximize social exchange Minimize errors and respondent burden 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars

Survey Courses Survey Sampling STAT/BIOST 529 (Spring) Pip Courbois Survey Research Methods HSERV/CSSS 527 (Spring) Diane Martin http:// depts.washington.edu/hscourse/hserv_590_h 9/18/2018 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars