1. ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS

2. I.The methodology of survey research Descriptive research, also known as statistical research, describes data and characteristics about the population or phenomenon being studied. Descriptive research answers the questions who, what, where, when and how.

3. Free Powerpoint Templates Page 3 The methodology of survey research The description is used for frequencies, averages and other statistical calculations. Often the best approach, prior to writing descriptive research, is to conduct a survey investigation.

4. Descriptive research influences what television programs we see, the type automobiles that will be produced, the fashion we wear and what issues and topics we will confronted with. In short descriptive research deals with everything that can be counted and studied.

5. Survey A survey is a data collection tool used to gather information about individuals. The major purpose of all surveys is to describe the characteristics of a population. The methodology of conducting a survey involves a series of detailed steps. The initial step is to define the research problem.

6. Sampling

7. Data collection Data collection is a term used to describe a process of preparing and collecting data - for example as part of a process improvement or similar project. The purpose of data collection is to obtain information to keep on record, to make decisions about important issues, to pass information on to others.

8. Questionnaire surveys. Background or demographic information about the respondent is important in that it identifies the individual in terms of classifying variables for the analysis.

9. Closed-ended & Open-ended questions Closed-ended questions are easy to use, score and code for analysis on a computer.Since all subjects respond to the same options, standardized data are provided. They are somewhat more difficult to write than open-ended questions. Open-ended questions allow for more individualized responses, but they are sometimes difficult to interpret.They are also hard to score, since so many different kinds of responses are received.

10. Advantages & disadvantages of using closed-ended & open-ended questions.

11. Advantages Closed-ended Enhaces consistency of response across respondents Easier & faster to tabulate More popular with respondents Open-ended Allows more freedom of response Easier to construct Permits follow-up by interviewer

12. Disadvantages Closed-ended May limit breadth of responses Takes more time to construct Requires more questions to cover the research topic Open-ended Responses tend to be inconsistent in length and content across respondents Both questions and responses subject to misinterpretation Harder to tabulate and synthesize.

13. The Cover Letter The cover letter is an essential part of any survey involving a questionnaire.It is the mechanism for introducing individuals to the questionnaire and motivate them to respond.The letter should be straighfoward, explaining the purpose and penitential value of the survey and transmitting the message that an individual’s response is important.

14. Interview Surveys The interview should be structured to obtain the necessary information efficiently in a friendly but businesslike atmosphere. If possible there should be some accuracy checks on the responses.

15. Analyzing the result Survey data can be analyzed using any appropriate procedures, and in many surveys at least part of the results are reported in a descriptive manner.Persentages or proportions of respondents selecting the options for an item are often provided.

16. References HOW TO DESIGN AND EVALUATE RESEARCH IN EDUCATION Jack R. Praenkel Norman E. Wallen RESEARCH METHODS IN EDUCATION. William Wiersma Stephen G.Jurs EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH COMPETENCIES FOR ANALYSIS AND APPLICATIONS. L. R. Gay, Geoffrey E. Mills, Peter Airasian 100 QUESTIONS ABOUT RESEARCH METHODS. Neil J. Salkind FUNDAMENTALS OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH Gary Anderson

17. Fidan Agasiyeva 18 October 2011