SURVEY RESEARCH Research Methods University of Massachusetts at Boston ©2011 William Holmes 1

WHAT IS SURVEY RESEARCH? Systematic data collection Using a standardized process And uniform administration 2

TYPES OF SURVEYS: QUESTIONNAIRES Face to face questionnaires Drop-off questionnaires Internet questionnaires Mailed questionnaires Group questionnaires Case record coding forms 3

TYPES OF SURVEYS: INTERVIEWS Face to face interviews Group interviews, focus groups Internet interviews Phone interviews 4

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN: QUESTIONNAIRES AND INTERVIEWS QUESTIONNAIRESINTERVIEWS Large samplesSmall samples Highly structuredLoosely structured Highly confidentialLess confidential Low interactionHigh interaction Low costHigh cost 5

PRINCIPLES FOR GOOD QUESTIONS: 1 Ask about one thing at a time Use language appropriate for population Give clear choices for structured responses Think about branching questions for subgroups 6

PRINCIPLES FOR GOOD QUESTIONS: 2 Don’t ask evaluative questions Have some easy questions first Include interesting questions Borrow good questions of others 7

GAINING COOPERATION Appeal to authority Appeal to altruism Offer benefits Use bandwagon effect Make it interesting Make it personal 8

TRAINING STAFF Look for good communication skills Rehearse giving questionnaires and interviews Role-play questionnaires and interviews Practice dealing with difficulties Give staff options Protect staff safety 9

MONITORING SURVEY: MECHANICS Number respondents Number forms Assign specific responsibility for tasks Have confidentiality procedures in place Have backup procedures in place 10

MONITORING SURVEY: PROCESS Track sample coverage Track data forms Follow-up non-response Follow-up missing data Track data entry 11

CODEBOOKS ITEMVARIABLECODESDESCRIPTION 1Gender1Male 2Female 9Missing 12