Survey design and Survey design and techniques for school related techniques for school related

useuse

surveyssurveys

Are a means of gathering information that Are a means of gathering information that describes the nature and extent of a specified describes the nature and extent of a specified set of data ranging from physical counts and set of data ranging from physical counts and

frequencies to attitudes and opinionsfrequencies to attitudes and opinions . .

purposepurpose

This information can be used to answer This information can be used to answer questions that have been raised, to solve questions that have been raised, to solve problems that have been observed ,to assess problems that have been observed ,to assess needs and set goals ,and to analyze trends needs and set goals ,and to analyze trends across timeacross time..

characteristicscharacteristics

1- Systematic1- Systematic2- representative2- representative3- objective3- objective4- quantifiable 4- quantifiable

limitationslimitations

1-surveys only tap respondents who are 1-surveys only tap respondents who are accessible and cooperative.accessible and cooperative.

2-surveys make the respondent feel special or 2-surveys make the respondent feel special or unnatural and thus produce responses that are unnatural and thus produce responses that are artificial.artificial.

3-surveys arouse 3-surveys arouse ““response set response set ““such as a such as a proneness to agree with positive statements.proneness to agree with positive statements.

General guidelines for designing General guidelines for designing surveyssurveys::

1- Define the purpose and scope of the surveys.1- Define the purpose and scope of the surveys.2-Avoid using an existing survey, if it was 2-Avoid using an existing survey, if it was

designed for a different purpose.designed for a different purpose.3-In designing questionnaires or interviews, you 3-In designing questionnaires or interviews, you

should explore how best to phrase questions to should explore how best to phrase questions to reflect their attitudes or opinions.reflect their attitudes or opinions.

4- Examine the merits of using machine-scored 4- Examine the merits of using machine-scored answer sheets to facilitate analysis. answer sheets to facilitate analysis.

5-As often as possible ,use structured 5-As often as possible ,use structured questions .questions .

6-Avoid ask questions that have obvious 6-Avoid ask questions that have obvious answers .answers .

7-Avoid biased questions.7-Avoid biased questions.8- Keep the final product as brief , simple, 8- Keep the final product as brief , simple,

clear ,and straightforward as possible .clear ,and straightforward as possible .

Types of surveysTypes of surveys::1-survey of records:1-survey of records: these sources of data are nonreactive. these sources of data are nonreactive.

AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages

They are inexpensiveThey are inexpensive..Are often incomplete, and Are often incomplete, and inaccurateinaccurate . .

Records often allow Records often allow historical comparisons and historical comparisons and

trend analysistrend analysis . .

Purpose of records usually is Purpose of records usually is unrelated to purpose of unrelated to purpose of

surveyssurveys . .Records are nonreactiveRecords are nonreactive..Factual data only are presentFactual data only are present..

2-Mailed questionnaires:2-Mailed questionnaires:

This appearance is the most commonly used survey This appearance is the most commonly used survey methodmethod..

AdvantagesAdvantagesDisadvantagesDisadvantages

Are inexpensiveAre inexpensive . .Low response rate can occurLow response rate can occur..

Are self Are self ––administeringadministering . .No assurance the questions No assurance the questions were understoodwere understood . .

Can be well designed, Can be well designed, simple and clearsimple and clear . .

No assurance addressee actually No assurance addressee actually was the one who answeredwas the one who answered . .

33--Telephone surveysTelephone surveys::These are widely used in place of face to face These are widely used in place of face to face

interviews by professional pollstersinterviews by professional pollsters..

AdvantagesAdvantagesDisadvantagesDisadvantages

Is less costly than face to Is less costly than face to face interviewsface interviews . .

Unlisted telephonesUnlisted telephones

Can be conducted daytime or Can be conducted daytime or eveningsevenings..

Not everyone has a phoneNot everyone has a phone . .

Respondent is at ease in own Respondent is at ease in own home and tends to be home and tends to be

candidcandid . .

Can be viewed as intrusive Can be viewed as intrusive into home privacyinto home privacy . .

44 - -Group interviewGroup interview::the group interview will yield a better picture of this the group interview will yield a better picture of this

phenomenaphenomena . .

AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Results reflect group behavior Results reflect group behavior and consensusand consensus..

May Suppress individual May Suppress individual differencesdifferences . .

Reveals group interactions Reveals group interactions patternspatterns . .

Fosters conformityFosters conformity . .

Is more efficient and Is more efficient and economical than one-to-one economical than one-to-one

interviewsinterviews . .

Intensifies group loyalties and Intensifies group loyalties and can rigidly polarize opinionscan rigidly polarize opinions . .

55 - -Individual interviewsIndividual interviews::This approach is the conventional method of collecting This approach is the conventional method of collecting

data face-to- facedata face-to- face..

AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages

Is personalized. Is personalized. Is expensive and time Is expensive and time ––consuming. consuming.

Permits in-depth ,free Permits in-depth ,free responses. responses.

Requires skilled and trained Requires skilled and trained interviewers.interviewers.

Is flexible and adaptable.Is flexible and adaptable.May be difficult to May be difficult to summarize findings. summarize findings.