Surveys An overview skills/surveys/srvcontents.html

Contents b What is a survey? b Key points in survey design b Questionnaire development b Types of question b Writing questions

What is a survey? b A survey is a method of gathering data about events that are actually occurring -  A “snapshot in time b In science surveys are most commonly found in  Health  Food & Nutrition b There is probably scope for surveys in other areas.

Designing a survey b What are you trying to investigate? b Is a survey the most appropriate? b Who is the target population? b How do you propose to administer the survey? b How do you propose to analyse the data?

Stages in designing a survey b Survey design is an iterative process involving  Pilot study  Testing questions  Modifying items b This may be repeated more than once b These stages occupy most of the time b Before finally issuing the questionnaire b Finally the data is analysed and the report written

Designing a questionnaire b Design is important for useful data b How will you analyse the data?  Qualitative  Quantitative b This will affect the types of question you use  Open - respondents can give their opinions, feelings etc. in their own words.  Structured - range of responses is restricted.

Open questions b Wide range of views b Richness of data b Generally best suited to qualitative analysis  Has its own methods of verification. b Non-uniform responses b Best suited to small scale or pilot surveys. b Useful for developing fixed response items

Structured question b Constrained choice b Involved standardised responses b Best suited to quantitative analysis  Usually using statistics b May miss important issues  Add qualitative item(s)  “Are there any other points you would like to add?” b Suitable for large samples

Some practical issues b How many questions?  Too few - not enough data  Too many - goes in the bin! b Layout  Well spaced, clearly laid out  Easy to follow b Length of questions  Not too long - break into shorter questions b Pilot questionnaire helps resolve issues

Ethics b Critical to survey research. b Should I be asking this?  Confidentiality  Sensitive information  Personal information  Raising expectations? b Anonymity of respondents b Data protection act.

Types of structured question b List b Category b Quantity b Ranking b Scale b Grid

List b Which of the following did you eat at your last meal? Tick all that apply  Cooked vegetables  Salad  Boiled or mashed potatoes  Roast potatoes  Chips  Jacket potatoes  Fresh fruit

Category b Please indicate your age? Less than Etc. Note: Questions of age are considered by some as embarrassing (see below) and best asked as a category rather than the direct question What is your age?

Quantity & Ranking b Quantity: How many times did you eat chips last week? b Ranking: Place the following in the order of importance, number 1 being the most important b A well stocked library b Well equipped laboratories b Up to date computing facilities

Scale/Grid: Stron gly agree A- gree Neither agree nor disagree Dis- agree Stron gly dis- agree The laboratory classes in this module were well organised There were sufficient tutorials/seminars in this module The lectures in this module were clearly presented

Content issues b Willing to answer b Knowledge of subject b Cover full range of possible answers b Use prompt cards in oral surveys b Wording must be specific  Use simple, clear language

Beware! b Presumptions e.g.  do not assume all students are on full time courses b Leading questions e.g.  You do think this is a poor module don’t you? b Double questions e.g.  Do you go to aerobics and go jogging? b Embarrassing questions e.g.  What is your age?

In summary b Formulate a hypothesis  How does this question contribute? b Pilot your survey  Open questionnaire to identify issues  Test and revise your questions b How will I analyse the data?  Qualitative or quantitative?  Which statistical tests? b What are the ethical issues?

Exercise b Look at the questionnaire you will be given. b Identify the faults in each question. b Post your criticism of each question using the blackboard form. b Work in fours based on your tutorial groups. b Improve the questionnaire. b Submit your improved version using the digital drop box.  A copy of the original to download and edit is provided.

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