Surveys 1

Unit 5: Collecting data Survey A structured way to collect standardized information from individuals using a questionnaire. Surveys may be conducted once; at repeated intervals, or concurrently with multiple samples They may be used to collect information from a few or many

Checking in… What do you think? Answer YES or NO to each of the following A survey is always appropriate Surveys are one of the most popular ways to collect information An email or online survey is better than the old mail or telephone surveys Careful planning is necessary Advance notice to potential respondents helps increase response rate A low response rate increases the likelihood of biased results Check your answers 3

Check your answers A survey is always appropriate - NO Surveys are one of the most popular ways to collect information - YES An email or online survey is better than the old mail or telephone surveys – NO, not necessarily Careful planning is necessary - YES Advance notice to potential respondents helps increase response rate - YES A low response rate increases the likelihood of biased results - YES 4

Unit 5: Collecting data Surveys are used when… You want to collect information from individuals (vs. a group or collective) You want standardized information from everyone Potential respondents can read and write You want information from many people Privacy is important or independent opinions and responses are needed You have resources to send, track, analyze and interpret the questionnaires

Pros and cons of survey PROS Way to collect information from many people; dispersed people Person can remain anonymous Provides standardized information across respondents Allows easy tabulation CONS Results can be easily biased Can miss important information – questions and answer choices are predetermined Requires literacy skills

Types of surveys Hand-out Mail Telephone Face-to-face Email Web survey – Online survey Mixed mode: uses two or more of above Recommendation: use a mix of modes to ensure that everyone can and does respond

Which type of survey should I choose? “It depends”… upon What you want to know – how complex or sensitive the information is Who the respondents are – their characteristics and which type of survey will be most appropriate Your time line, and Available resources

If you’ve determined that a survey is the best and most appropriate way to collect information, then take some time to plan your survey.