Survey Design

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Problem solving;
• Demonstrate awareness of the various sources of survey error and means of controlling them using design principles
• Construct survey questionnaires according to best practice and drawing on the relevant social and cognitive psychological literature;
• Writing skills
• Identify, describe and evaluate a range of sampling designs
• Project management;
• Demonstrate awareness of the key principles and practices of survey design and implementation

This module is an introduction to key issues in the design and implementation of random sample surveys. Students will be introduced to the Total Survey Error framework in which survey quality is understood as the practice of minimising the total error in survey estimates (bias + variance) for a fixed cost. The content of the module will focus on the different approaches to drawing random samples, modes of administration, principles of questionnaire design, assessing and correcting for non-response and longitudinal survey designs.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be delivered face-to-face and will include lectures, seminars, exercises, and independent studies. A range of resources will also be provided for further self-directed study.

Resources & Reading list

General Resources

Other. Access to text books, journal articles, web sites and other sources of related information. Resources to support the production of blended learning materials will be made available by the Doctoral Training Centre.

Textbooks

Bradburn, N. M. and Sudman, S. (2004). Asking questions.. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

de Leeuw, E.D., Hox, J. & Dillman, D. (Eds.) (2008). The International Handbook of Survey Methodology. New York/London: Erlbaum/Taylor & Francis.

Groves, Robert M., F.J. Fowler, Mick P. Couper, James M. Lepkowski, Eleanor Singer, and R. Tourangeau. (2009). Survey Methodology. New York: Wiley.

Dillman, D., Smyth, J. and Christian, L. (2009). Internet, Mail and Mixed-Mode Surveys: the tailored design method. NY: Wiley.

Assessment strategy

Formative assessment through feedback from seminar activities.

The assessment will require students to write a survey design proposal that critiques the ‘clients’ draft questionnaire and considers survey mode and cost, sampling strategies, response rates and sample representativeness.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External