1. 42 universities (14 – public, 27 – private, 1 – church)
Teaching Web Surveys Methods Classroom Experiences Among University Instructors
Wojciech Jablonski 1
Intro
A thorough literature review shows that the range of publications on survey-specific skills training is rather limited. Most existing studies focus on teaching research methods in general, and, as a result, may deal with other (non-survey) quantitative techniques or with qualitative methods.
Our study aimed to
 determine to what extent university instructors address web survey-related
topics in their curricula and  check their opinions about the amount of information that should be presented to university students in their coursework. 2
Method
The study was conducted in August and September 2015 among instructors of survey methods who were employed in Polish universities with sociology faculties:
42 universities (14 – public, 27 – private, 1 – church)
A total of 112 academics (out of 251 invitations sent) agreed to complete our web-based questionnaire. 73 instructors declared they had, in the previous three academic years, taught at least one such class (undergraduate or graduate) addressing survey-related issues to sociology students. Those respondents were invited to complete the core part
of the questionnaire, which included questions about web surveys. 3
Teaching Experience
Think of your classes with sociology students on survey research methods conducted in the most recent three academic years. Please indicate to what extent you covered web surveys-related issues.
1 – I did not cover this issue at all – I discussed this issue thoroughly
UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
GRADUATE LEVEL
mean
1+2 3
4+5
unable to say
Sampling design issues in probability web surveys
4.24 9%
10%
81% 0%
3.86
21% 6%
68% 5%
Sampling design issues in non-probability web surveys
4.19
19%
76%
3.74
22% 8%
65%
Questionnaire preparation – question types
4.32
12%
79%
4.22
14%
75% 3%
Questionnaire preparation – visual layout
3.80
17%
61%
3.83
16%
62%
Web survey nonresponse
3.34
27%
44% 2%
3.31
43%
Multiple devices (laptops/tablets/smartphones)
2.45
53%
25%
20%
2.78
41%
24%
32%
Contacting process (sending invitations, fieldwork monitoring)
2.95
42%
26%
3.08
40%
Online panels
2.76
47%
2.92
Web survey software
2.60
52%
3.11 4
Teaching Expectations
Regardless of your experiences, please indicate to what extent web surveys-related issues should be covered during survey methods classes organized for sociology students.
1 – This issue should not be covered at all – This issue should be thoroughly discussed
UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL
GRADUATE LEVEL
mean
1+2 3
4+5
unable to say
Sampling design issues in probability web surveys
4.57 3% 4%
89%
4.56 2%
85%
10%
Sampling design issues in non-probability web surveys
4.51 7%
4.48
82%
Questionnaire preparation – question types
4.59 1%
92%
4.46 6%
83% 8%
Questionnaire preparation – visual layout
4.41
11%
4.30
76%
Web survey nonresponse
4.08
22%
71%
4.21
16%
70%
Multiple devices (laptops/tablets/smartphones)
3.77
30%
53%
3.86
26%
Contacting process (sending invitations, fieldwork monitoring)
3.82
31%
56%
54%
Online panels
3.99
25%
61%
3.98
18%
60%
Web survey software
4.06 9%
67%
63%
GOR 2016
Dresden, Germany
3-4 March 2016