Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which survey delivery method is considered the least effective in terms of response rate?
Which survey delivery method is considered the least effective in terms of response rate?
What does 'acquiesce bias' primarily refer to in survey responses?
What does 'acquiesce bias' primarily refer to in survey responses?
In survey research, what challenge does the Heisenberg Effect present?
In survey research, what challenge does the Heisenberg Effect present?
What is a common challenge associated with delivering surveys via email?
What is a common challenge associated with delivering surveys via email?
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Which type of survey response method often yields higher, quantifiable results?
Which type of survey response method often yields higher, quantifiable results?
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What is meant by the term ‘representativeness’ in survey sampling?
What is meant by the term ‘representativeness’ in survey sampling?
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Which of the following best describes ‘probability sampling’?
Which of the following best describes ‘probability sampling’?
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In which sampling method would you likely survey only the head of a household?
In which sampling method would you likely survey only the head of a household?
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Which variable is NOT typically considered during survey design?
Which variable is NOT typically considered during survey design?
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What is a key characteristic of closed questions in a survey?
What is a key characteristic of closed questions in a survey?
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Which type of probability sampling involves selecting individuals from sub-groups?
Which type of probability sampling involves selecting individuals from sub-groups?
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Which type of non-probability sampling ensures that a specific number of people from certain groups are included?
Which type of non-probability sampling ensures that a specific number of people from certain groups are included?
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What is a potential downside of using open questions in surveys?
What is a potential downside of using open questions in surveys?
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Study Notes
Overview of Surveys
- Surveys are a research method used to gather information about a group or phenomenon.
- Surveys can be used to support or disprove arguments and hypotheses.
- Surveys can be qualitative or quantitative, depending on the question type.
Types of Surveys
- Micro-studies: Survey all members of a target group, potentially multiple times. Example: Survey of students in a Research Methods course.
- Macro-studies: Survey a sample of a target group, aiming for representativeness. Example: Survey of UAE residents.
Sampling Methods
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Probability Sampling: Random selection of respondents with an equal chance of being chosen.
- Simple Random Sampling: Randomly selecting from a population, such as dialing numbers from a phonebook.
- Systematic Sampling: Randomly selecting a starting point and then selecting every nth element. Example: Choosing a random page in a phonebook and then selecting every tenth entry.
- Stratified Sampling: Dividing the sample into subgroups and randomly selecting respondents within each group.
- Cluster Sampling: Survey a cluster or group of individuals, such as a household.
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Non-Probability Sampling: Not based on random selection.
- Quota Sampling: Aiming to interview a specific quota of people from different subgroups.
- Targeted Sampling: Targeting specific individuals, such as elites or known experts.
Survey Design Considerations
- Number of Questions: Be mindful of the number of questions.
- Order of Questions: Consider the order of the questions.
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Response Format:
- Open-ended Questions: Can be difficult to quantify and analyze.
- Closed-ended Questions: Force respondents to choose from a set of options.
- ‘Don’t know’/‘Other’ Option: Provide an option for uncertainty or responses not included.
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Avoid:
- Leading Questions: Questions that suggest a desired answer.
- Double-barreled Questions: Questions that combine multiple ideas into one.
- Difficult or Jargon-filled Questions: Avoid using complex or technical language.
Survey Delivery Methods
- Face-to-face: Best for getting detailed responses.
- Telephone: Second best, but lacks facial cues.
- Postal: Low response rate and often seen as junk mail.
- Email: Similar to postal, respondents have time to think, but response rate can still be low.
- Internet Mailout/Pop-up: More efficient for closed-ended questions, often higher response rate. Open-ended answers tend to be filled out by those with strong opinions.
Quantifying Survey Outcomes
- Descriptive Analysis: Summarizing data with descriptive statistics.
- Analytical Analysis: Examining relationships between variables.
- Bivariate Analysis: Examining the relationship between two variables.
- Multivariate Analysis: Examining the relationship between multiple variables.
- Open-ended Questions: Analyse themes and patterns within open-ended responses.
Biases in Survey Results
- Heisenberg Effect: Respondents may change their behavior when they know they are being observed.
- Consistency Bias: Respondents may attempt to remain consistent with their initial responses.
- Acquiescence Bias: Tendency to agree with statements, especially among those with weaker attitudes.
- Non-Attitudes: Lack of true opinions or knowledge on a particular issue.
- Survey Format Biases: Format, time of day, environment can all influence response bias.
Limitations of Surveys
- True Opinions: Difficult to determine true opinions or facts from surveys.
- Neutral Surveys: Achieving a truly neutral survey is challenging.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of surveys as a research method. It explores the types of surveys, including micro-studies and macro-studies, as well as various sampling methods such as probability sampling. Test your knowledge on how surveys can be utilized in different contexts.
