DESIGN POSSIBILITIES FOR SURVEYS

 Also known as the “ad hoc sample survey”, this is the survey in its simplest form. This survey involves collecting the same standardized data from an undifferentiated group of respondents over a short period of time. The respondents are almost always selected as a representative sample from some larger population.

 In this type of survey design, data are collected on the same set of respondents at two or more points in time. Just like the “simple survey” this survey can incorporate two or more comparison groups by virtue of the inclusion of naturally occurring variables. Typically requires considerable time and effort when the phenomena you are examining requires a significant intervals between data collection efforts( example: looking at how a group of freshmen feel about an issue throughout their college careers). 

 Similar to both of the previously mentioned surveys.  On each repetition of the survey, the sample will include some members from the previous survey and some new members. The same fraction of new and repeating participants is involved with each repetition.

 Who do you ask?  How do you ask?  What do you ask?  What resources do you need?

1. What is the general purpose and info requirements  a. Your preliminary analysis has indicated that a survey is the most appropriate way of addressing your research questions.  b.The first step is to clarify the research question/s. Translate your general purpose into one or more specific aims.  c.Develop a range of sub-questions or subsidiary topics relating to the central question  d.Be clear about the information required to address your sub-questions or topics.

2. Construct the questionnaire-decide on the questions that are to be asked and on their precise wording, sequence and the layout of the questionnaire.

3. Determine population and sample 4. After the Planning stage-carry out the survey.

 Probability samples allow you to generalize from sample to population. In probability sampling its possible to specify the probability that any person will be included in the sample. Any sampling where it is not possible to do this is called ‘non-probability sampling’.

 Small-scale surveys commonly employ non- probability samples. They are usually less complicated to set up and are acceptable when there is no intention or need to make a statistical generalization to any population beyond the sample surveyed. They can also be used to pilot a survey prior to a probability sample approach for the main survey.

 Quota Sampling -obtaining representatives of the various elements of a population, usually in the relative proportions in which they occur in the population.

 Dimensional Sampling  -the dimensions thought to be of importance in a survey are incorporated into the sampling procedure in such a way that at least one rep of every combination of these dimensions is included.

 Convenience Sampling  -cheap and dirty way of doing a sample survey. Involves choosing the nearest and most convenient people to act as respondents.