Survey Methods and Considerations
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Questions and Answers

What is a defining feature of longitudinal surveys?

  • They involve the collection of close-ended questions only.
  • They are exclusively used for qualitative research.
  • They track changes in the same population over time. (correct)
  • They provide a snapshot of a population at a single point in time.

Which type of survey is designed to track changes with the same individuals?

  • Longitudinal study
  • Cross-sectional study
  • Trend study
  • Panel study (correct)

What does a high response rate in a survey indicate?

  • The validity of the survey results is guaranteed.
  • A larger, more diverse sample is considered.
  • A significant proportion of the sample agreed to participate. (correct)
  • A low level of interviewer effects is present.

What is a common limitation associated with surveys?

<p>They may suffer from low validity. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a source of error in survey research?

<p>Interviewer effects (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of using closed-ended questions in surveys?

<p>They can lead to manipulated or coerced responses. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes independent variables in research?

<p>Variables that are manipulated to observe their effect. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of nominal variables?

<p>They are comprised of categories with no inherent order. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these types of questions allows respondents to express their thoughts freely?

<p>Open-ended questions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of research relationship is characterized by a variable affecting another variable due to the influence of a third factor?

<p>Spurious relationship (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does operationalization refer to in research methodology?

<p>The process of defining concepts for measurement. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of questionnaire administration is least likely to allow for detailed responses?

<p>Online surveys with forced responses (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely consequence of using matrix questions in a survey?

<p>Respondents may face difficulty in understanding the question format. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one major advantage of using closed-ended questions in surveys?

<p>They provide a quicker method of data analysis. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes dependent variables in research?

<p>They are measured and vary in relation to independent variables. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of questionnaire construction, what is the purpose of avoiding response sets?

<p>To maintain the reliability of the data collected. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of question requires respondents to select an answer from predefined categories?

<p>Closed-ended questions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a spurious relationship among variables?

<p>Both variables are dependent on a third factor. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which measurement scale categorizes variables into ranked orders without known distances?

<p>Ordinal scale (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is operationalization important in research methodology?

<p>It quantifies variables for measurement. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key limitation of using matrix questions in surveys?

<p>They may confuse respondents due to complexity. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of independent variables in a study?

<p>To be manipulated or controlled by the researcher. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of cross-sectional surveys?

<p>Providing a snapshot of a population at one point in time (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a trend study?

<p>Tracking changes in a population over time (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does a low validity in survey methodology indicate?

<p>The survey measures what it is intended to measure poorly (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of a panel study?

<p>It analyzes the same individuals over different points in time (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What could cause interviewer effects in a survey?

<p>Inconsistencies in the interviewer's demeanor or approach (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of response bias in surveys?

<p>To identify systematic patterns in how individuals answer questions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a strength of survey methods?

<p>Large size of the sample (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What potential issue does questionnaire instrumentation address?

<p>Confusion due to ambiguous or poorly worded questions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does response rate measure in the context of surveys?

<p>The percentage of the sample that agrees to participate (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best reflects a common limitation of survey research?

<p>Surveys can oversimplify complex issues due to fixed response options (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Survey definition

Systematic collection of information from a whole or part of a population.

Cross-sectional survey

A snapshot of a population at one specific time.

Longitudinal survey

Tracks changes in a population over time.

Response rate

Percentage of chosen people who agree to participate in a survey.

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Interviewer effect

Influence of the interviewer on survey responses.

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Questionnaire Administration Types

Methods for collecting data using questionnaires. They can be self-administered (individual or group, mail, email, online) or researcher administered (face-to-face, individual or group, telephone, online).

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Questionnaire Construction

The process of designing a questionnaire, considering factors like question order, avoiding response bias, and minimizing non-responses.

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Dichotomous Questions

Questions with only two possible answers, like 'yes' or 'no'.

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Contingency Questions

Questions that are only shown to respondents who meet specific criteria in previous questions.

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Matrix Questions

A series of questions with the same response options, arranged in a table-like structure.

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Likert Scale

A way to measure opinions, attitudes, or beliefs using a range of ordered responses, often with options like 'strongly disagree' to 'strongly agree'.

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Variables

Characteristics or qualities that can vary among units of analysis (people, objects, etc.)

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Independent vs. Dependent Variables

Independent variables are manipulated or controlled by the researcher, while dependent variables are measured or observed and change in relation to the independent variable.

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Survey

A systematic collection of data from a sample or whole population using standardized questions.

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Trend Study

Studies changes within the same population over time.

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Panel Study

Collects data from the same individuals over time.

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Respondent Error/Bias

When respondents provide inaccurate or misleading information unintentionally.

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Sampling Error

The difference between results from a sample and the whole population.

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Questionnaire/Instrumentation Problems

Issues with the survey itself, like unclear questions or confusing formatting.

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Open-ended Questions

Questions that allow respondents to provide free-form answers in their own words, providing rich and detailed information.

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Closed-ended Questions

Questions with pre-defined answer choices, limiting responses but simplifying data analysis.

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What are the advantages of closed-ended questions?

Closed-ended questions offer quick and easy data collection, higher response rates, less missing data, and simpler data analysis.

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What are the disadvantages of closed-ended questions?

Closed-ended questions may lead to forced or coerced responses, errors in design, and limited flexibility, potentially missing nuanced insights.

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Categorical Variables

Variables with categories that have no inherent order or ranking, representing distinct groups or classifications.

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Ordinal Variables

Variables with categories that can be ranked, but the distances between these categories are not equal or known.

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Interval/Ratio Variables

Variables with units that are equivalent across the range of categories, allowing for meaningful calculations and comparisons.

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Study Notes

Surveys

  • Surveys gather information from a large sample using closed-ended questions, prioritizing breadth over depth.
  • Cross-sectional surveys capture a snapshot at a single point in time.
  • Longitudinal surveys track patterns over time.
  • Trend studies follow changes in a population over time.
  • Panel studies track changes in the same individuals over time.
  • Surveys are systematic data collection methods used to describe a population, explore relationships between variables, and test social theories.

Survey Considerations

  • Response rate is the percentage of the sample who participate.
  • Interviewer effects influence respondent answers.
  • Respondent error/bias can skew results.
  • Errors in surveys stem from sampling, interviewer effects, response bias, and questionnaire flaws.

Survey Methods

  • Strengths: high reliability, large population analysis, multiple issues covered.
  • Weaknesses: lower validity, might miss important issues, especially when dealing with sensitive topics, potential artificiality, and respondent bias.
  • Survey administration types:
    • Self-administered surveys: (mail, email, online, individual, group)
    • Researcher-administered surveys: (face-to-face, telephone, online, individual, group)

Questionnaire Construction

  • Format: crucial for question order, minimizing response sets, and avoiding non-response.
  • Question types:
    • Dichotomous questions: two choices (yes/no)
    • Contingency questions: asked only if a specific answer is given to a previous question.
    • Matrix questions: multiple questions with the same answer choices presented in a matrix structure.
    • Likert scales: ranked responses to measure attitudes or opinions.
    • Open-ended questions: allow for detailed responses.
    • Closed-ended questions: predetermined choices.

Variables

  • Variables are qualities that describe units of analysis (people, objects).
  • Variation describes how much a variable changes.
  • Constants are variables that rarely change.
  • Independent variables: controlled and potentially causal.
  • Dependent variables: measured, and often the outcome of interest.

Correlation vs. Causation

  • Correlation describes a relationship between variables.
  • Causation means one variable directly affects another.
  • Spurious relationships exist when another factor causes the apparent relationship between two variables.

Levels of Measurement and Operationalization

  • Categorical variables: (nominal and ordinal scales).
  • Continuous variables: (ratio and interval scales).
  • Operationalization: defining concepts in measurable terms.
  • Nominal variables (categorical): categories with no inherent order.
  • Ordinal variables: categories with a ranked order, but distances between categories may not be equal.
  • Interval/ratio variables: categories with equal distances and a meaningful zero point.

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Description

This quiz explores various survey methods including cross-sectional, longitudinal, trend studies, and panel studies. It examines key considerations such as response rates and biases that may affect survey results. Perfect for students or professionals looking to deepen their understanding of effective survey techniques.

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