HS675-7-AU-CO:
Survey Research Methods

The details
2024/25
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 13 December 2024
15
06 November 2024

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

MRESB99012 Health Research,
MRESB99024 Health Research,
MRESB990JS Health Research

Module description

A survey is a form of structured enquiry that collects similar information on each member of a sample or population (of people, households or physical objects e.g. houses) from existing documents, self-completed questionnaires, interviews or observations with a view to drawing scientific conclusions about social (including health-related) issues.


Health surveys are cross-sectional studies and can be used to collect data longitudinally, over time.  They are useful in a variety of research methods including semi structured interviews, Health-related Quality of Life outcome measurement tools and other types of questionnaires.

Module aims

The aim of this module is:



  • To introduce students to survey research methods to enable them to conduct surveys when conducting research in their own area of professional expertise.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Design a survey for data collection in a health-related area.

  2. Describe and critically justify selection of a suitable sampling frame to ensure the survey population is representative.

  3. Use a power calculation to determine an effective survey sample size.

  4. Select the most suitable methods of data collection (questions, response options and mode) and critically appraise these.

  5. Create a data management and analysis plan.

  6. Critically evaluate the results of a health-related survey.

Module information

Indicative Syllabus information


Proposed lecture schedule:



  • Week 1: Survey Design and Planning/ Introduction to surveys in health research

  • Week 2: Sampling

  • Week 3: Non-Response Challenges

  • Week 4: Measurement Challenges

  • Week 5: Data Collection

  • Week 6: Questionnaire Design

  • Week 7: Question Wording

  • Week 8: Data Management

  • Week 9: Data Analysis

  • Week 10: Interpretation of results

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • One 1-hour lecture per week
  • One 2 hour seminar per week

Seminars are lab-based sessions on Qualtrics and Excel, accessing/exploring different types of surveys and exploring different types of statistical tests.

Students are expected to undertake the reading before seminar classes and be prepared to engage in seminar discussions.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Coursework   Summative assignment: 2000 words  30/01/2025   

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Fay Crawford, email: fay.crawford@essex.ac.uk.
insight@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
Yes
Yes

External examiner

Dr Sarah Blower
University of York
Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Child Development and Family Wellbeing
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 30 hours, 27 (90%) hours available to students:
3 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information

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