Survey Research (The Module Formerly Known As 'Designing Surveys')

Updated

This module is part of the Social Science Research Methods Centre training programme which is a shared platform for providing research students with a broad range of quantitative and qualitative research methods skills that are relevant across the social sciences.

The module aims to provide students with an introduction to and overview of survey methods and its uses and limitations. It will introduce students both to some of the main theoretical issues involved in survey research (such as survey sampling, non-response and question wording) and to practicalities of the design and analysis of surveys. Students who attend this course will be able to evaluate research that uses surveys, in particular to understand issues concerning sample selection, response bias and data analysis; to appreciate and use basic principles of questionnaire design; and to trace appropriate sources of data and appropriate exemplars of good survey practice.

• Mphil and PhD students from participating departments taking the Social Science Research Methods Centre training programme as part of their research degree

Number of sessions: 4

• Session 1: Introduction to survey research [van Houten]
• Session 2: Key issues in survey research: respondent selection, sample design, question wording [van Houten]
• Session 3: Survey research in practice [Twyman]
• Session 4: Analysing survey data [Twyman]

• to evaluate research that uses surveys, in particular to understand issues concerning sample selection, response bias and data analysis
• to appreciate and use basic principles of questionnaire design
• to trace appropriate sources of data and appropriate exemplars of good survey practice

Presentation only

Short description [1000 words] on key issues in survey research. [Optional, dependent upon department]

• Sapsford, R. (2007) Survey Research (2nd ed). London: Sage
• Sue, V. and Ritter, L.A (2012) Conducting Online Surveys (2nd ed). London: Sage
• Buckingham, A. and Saunders, P. (2004) The Survey Methods Workbook. Cambridge: Polity Press.
• de Vaus, D.A. (2014) Surveys in Social Research (6th ed [or an earlier ed]). London: Routledge.
• Fowler, F. (2009) Survey Research Methods (4th ed). London: Sage.
• Groves, R. et al (2009) Survey Methodology (2nd ed). London: Wiley.
• Lee, R. (2000) Doing Research on Sensitive Topics. London: Sage.
• Biemer, P. et al. (2004) Measurement Errors in Surveys. London: Wiley.
• Lyberg, L. et al. (1997) Survey Measurement and Process Quality. London: Wiley

• To gain maximum benefits from the course it is important that students do not see this course in isolation from the other MPhil courses or research training they are taking.
• Responsibility lies with each student to consider the potential for their own research using methods common in fields of the social sciences that may seem remote. Ideally this task will be facilitated by integration of the SSRMC with discipline-specific courses in their departments and through reading and discussion.

Four sessions of one hour and a half hours each.

Once a week for four weeks.