1. Doing Community Surveys Remembering the Important Basics Topform Professional Intl. www.topformti.com

2. Introduction What is Social (qualitative) Research? Generally qualitative research is concerned with: Opinion gathering Enquiring about people not things Studies of life style Interpreting information gathered Written report, rather than statistical 3. Survey/ Questionnaires Purpose Information sought from large numbers Information sought over large geographical area Information required is simple and factual To make generalisations, comparisons with other groups for development 4. Start Considerations Pre- Start Aim and Objective Time frame Population/ sample, sub- groups Response rate increased, if inform research population prior Structure - enhance response rate Open or closed questions Processing questionnaires- how Analysing 5. Result Considerations Pilot the questionnaire to test for suitability and errors. This can be done by distributing questionnaires to a small percentage of the total number. 6. Design Considerations Remember No assumptions Avoid negative questions Sensitivity Length of questionnaire Avoid double barrel questions Avoid presumptive questions 7. Community Considerations Distribution Person Person? Postal questionnaire?- Include SAE and cover letter Both? Telephone On- line (eg. Survey Monkey) Note Problems of language/literacy, ensuring your research population will be able to read & understand the questions. 8. Finding out Considerations Ideally questionnaires should feature 3 types of questions but this will be dependant on the research question. BIOGRGRAPHICAL: name age, gender, marital status AUDIT/INFORMATIONAL: factual data, what actual experience (avoid yes/ no questions, weakest form of data) OPINION/ATTITUDINAL: (views) Note: Sequencing. It is important that questions are sequential & follow a logical pattern. 9. Other Considerations *Ensure questionnaire produces information required Data Protection Act 1998 (UK) No responses Designing Questionnaire 10. Consider Problem Areas Closed questions - limited to researchers categories Leading questions Solution - pilot questionnaire Request 2nd opinion 11. Inspired by: Critical Thinking and Research Skills- ILM Level 6 Award in Management