SC970-7-AU-CO:
Introduction to Survey Design and Management
2020/21
Sociology and Criminology
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 18 December 2020
20
07 October 2020
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
SC972
MSC B99012 Health Research,
MSC L31012 Survey Methods for Social Research,
MSC L310MO Survey Methods for Social Research,
MSC L31124 Migration Studies,
MPHDB79748 Health Studies,
PHD B79748 Health Studies
This module introduces students to the principles and practice of modern survey design. The module exposes students to the considerable literature on survey methodology that informs best practice in contemporary survey research. Survey methodology has, over the past two decades or so, developed into a more or less unified field of research and practice. It brings together insights from, inter alia, cognitive and social psychology and statistics to explain how human behaviour and survey design decisions interact to produce data of varying quality. Key to this perspective is the concept of 'total survey error'. This framework is used throughout the module to discuss the multiple sources of error that modern survey design methods aim to mitigate. The initial focus of this module is on introducing social science graduates to the fundamentals of survey design and to the concept of survey error. A variety of different types of design are introduced with their relative costs, benefits and indications for particular types of study purpose. The focus then moves to introducing students to a variety of modes of data collection and the significance of survey mode on data quality. Different sources of measurement error are then identified and explored; respondents, questions, and interviewers. We then look at how to design questions, and ways of evaluating questions to avoid eliciting measurement error. Finally, we look at the role of survey management; keeping a balance between survey errors and costs. Throughout the module, concepts and methods will be illustrated with real examples and case studies – many of them drawn from the survey work that takes place at ISER.
This module introduces students to the principles and practice of modern survey design. The module exposes students to the considerable literature on survey methodology that informs best practice in contemporary survey research. Survey methodology has, over the past two decades or so, developed into a more or less unified field of research and practice. It brings together insights from, inter alia, cognitive and social psychology and statistics to explain how human behaviour and survey design decisions interact to produce data of varying quality. Key to this perspective is the concept of 'total survey error'. This framework is used throughout the module to discuss the multiple sources of error that modern survey design methods aim to mitigate. The initial focus of this module is on introducing social science graduates to the fundamentals of survey design and to the concept of survey error. A variety of different types of design are introduced with their relative costs, benefits and indications for particular types of study purpose. The focus then moves to introducing students to a variety of modes of data collection and the significance of survey mode on data quality. Different sources of measurement error are then identified and explored; respondents, questions, and interviewers. We then look at how to design questions, and ways of evaluating questions to avoid eliciting measurement error. Finally, we look at the role of survey management; keeping a balance between survey errors and costs. Throughout the module, concepts and methods will be illustrated with real examples and case studies - many of them drawn from the survey work that takes place at ISER.
The aim of this course is to provide an introduction to the theory and practice of modern survey design and measurement. The focus will be on practical transferable survey skills required to conduct professional surveys.
By the end of the module students should be able to:
• Distinguish between different types of survey designs and their uses
• Understand and explain the total survey error framework
• Demonstrate an understanding of the key features of effective questionnaire design
• Design a questionnaire using current best practice
• Identify the different modes of survey data collection and the implications for cost and quality"
No additional information available.
No information available.
- Couper, Mick. (2008) Designing effective Web surveys, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Groves, Robert M. (c2009) Survey methodology, Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley.
- Stanley Presser, Mick P. Couper, Judith T. Lessler, Elizabeth Martin, Jean Martin, Jennifer M. Rothgeb and Eleanor Singer. (2004) 'Methods for Testing and Evaluating Survey Questions', in The Public Opinion Quarterly: Oxford University Press. vol. 68, pp.109-130
- Jäckle, Annette; Gaia, Alessandra; Benzeval, Michaela. (2018) The use of new technologies to measure socioeconomic and environmental concepts in longitudinal studies: UCL Institute of Education.
- DeLeeuw, Edith. (2018) 'Mixed-Mode: Past, Present, and Future', in Survey Research Methods. vol. 12 (2)
- Leeuw, Edith Desirée de; Hox, J. J.; Dillman, Don A. (2008) International handbook of survey methodology, New York: Lawrence Erlbaum.
- Schwarz, Norbert. (2007-03) 'Cognitive aspects of survey methodology', in Applied Cognitive Psychology. vol. 21 (2) , pp.277-287
- West, Brady T.; Conrad, Frederick G.; Kreuter, Frauke; Mittereder, Felicitas. (2018) 'Can conversational interviewing improve survey response quality without increasing interviewer effects?', in Journal of the Royal Statistical Society: Series A (Statistics in Society). vol. 181 (1) , pp.181-203
- Leeuw, Edith Desirée de; Hox, J. J; Dillman, Don A. (2008) International handbook of survey methodology, New York: Lawrence Erlbaum.
- Suchman, Lucy; Jordan, Brigitte. (1990) 'Interactional Troubles in Face-to-Face Survey Interviews', in Journal of the American Statistical Association. vol. 85 (409) , pp.232-
- Converse, Jean M.; Presser, Stanley. (c1986) Survey questions: handcrafting the standardized questionnaire, Beverly Hills: Sage Publications. vol. 63
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
weekly coursework |
|
10% |
| Coursework |
Essay of up to 4000 words |
|
90% |
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
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Annette Jackle, email: aejack@essex.ac.uk.
Prof Annette Jackle (ISER)
Michele Hall, Graduate Administrator, Telephone 01206 873051, Email: socpgadm@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
No
Prof Paul Stretesky
The University of Northumbria at Newcastle
Professor of Criminology
Prof Benjamin Bradford
University College London
Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 407 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
407 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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