Psychology Chapter 7 - Survey Research

Chapter 7 - Survey Research

• Survey research is a quantitative and qualitative method for measuring variables using self-reports, focusing on sampling.
• Surveys can be non-experimental, but can also be used in experimental research to assess the impact of an independent variable on a dependent variable.
• A significant focus of survey research is addressing sampling bias through careful consideration of sampling techniques.

Final Exam Information

• Date: Monday, December 9th
• Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
• Location: Regent Theatre, 50 King St E (DTR100)
• Format: Multiple-choice and short-answer questions
• Coverage: Chapters 1-10 (Chapter 11 excluded)
• Exam type: Closed-book
• Weighting: 35% of the final grade

Lecture Overview

• Overview of survey research
• Survey construction
• Conducting surveys

Survey Research Details

• Survey research involves measuring variables via self-reports collected using surveys.
• Sampling is a crucial aspect of survey research.

Lifetime Prevalence Results (National Comorbidity Survey)

• Data on lifetime prevalence of various disorders are presented, including rates for females and males.
• Examples include generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse.
• Lifetime prevalence refers to the percentage of people who develop a specific disorder at any point in their lives.

Cognitive Model of Survey Responding

• The cognitive model of survey responding outlines the steps involved in completing a survey, including interpreting the question, retrieving information, forming judgments, formatting the response, and editing the response.

Types of Items: Open-Ended Items

• Open-ended items allow participants to answer in their own words.
• These items often provide qualitative data and are useful when researchers are unsure about the range of potential responses.
• They are time-consuming for participants and researchers, though.

Types of Items: Closed-Ended Items

• Closed-ended items provide a set of predetermined response options.
• These items are often employed for quantitative data collection and are more straightforward to analyze.
• Rating scales are common types of closed-ended items, ranging from 3 to 11 response options, with 5 and 7 being common numbers.

Writing Effective Items

• Mutually exclusive and exhaustive response options are key for closed-ended items.
• Provide an "other" option for unanticipated responses.
• The midpoint can be omitted from rating scales, but including it can be helpful for bipolar dimensions.

Formatting the Survey

• Organize surveys logically.
• Present clear instructions for completing the questionnaire.
• Use logical groupings of items.
• Place demographic questions towards the end.

Non-Probability Sampling

• Non-probability sampling methods don't guarantee every member of the population has an equal chance of being selected.
• Examples include convenience sampling, snowball sampling, quota sampling, and self-selection.

Probability Sampling

• Probability sampling ensures every member of the population has a known probability of being included in the sample.
• Types include simple random sampling, stratified random sampling, and cluster sampling.

Sampling Bias

• Sampling bias occurs when the sample chosen is not representative of the target population leading to flawed results.
• Non-response bias is a common issue when there is a systemic difference between survey respondents and non-respondents.

Conducting the Survey

• In-person, telephone, mail, and internet surveys are various methods of conducting surveys.
• Response rate, cost, time, and potential for sampling bias vary amongst the methods.

Upcoming Dates

• Specific dates for lectures on various topics, assignments, and the final exam are listed.

Study questions on chapter 7.

• These are general questions that summarize the chapter and are likely part of a larger review sheet or set of questions to study.