Module overview
The module will introduce students to the full range of methodological issues arising in sample survey research and to provide students with an understanding of the place of different methods in the survey process.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Be aware of the stages involved in planning and running surveys, knowing how error might be introduced in each of these and how to minimise this
- Be able to critically evaluate survey designs and assess their quality, knowing what questions to ask and where to turn to get expert advice.
- Know about the compromises that exist in survey design, and the strengths, weaknesses and suitability of each option
- Achieve an understanding of the diverse methodological issues arising in sample survey research and the relationships between them
Syllabus
The syllabus covers a wide range of topics related to the running of surveys. It covers the essentials that a survey practitioner or a survey reviewer should know, and the main issues about which they should be aware.
In particular, the syllabus covers the design of surveys, and the processes involved in running a survey from start to finish. It also includes the over-arching topics of survey error and quality in official surveys, which affect all aspects of the design.
Specific topics include:
- Introduction - The place of surveys in Official Statistics
- The survey process
- an overview, from establishing objectives, resources and constraints, through data collection, sampling and processing, to publication and archiving of results and data sets
- Introduction to survey sampling and types of survey designs
- includes stratified and clustered designs, and longitudinal and cross-sectional surveys
- Data collection
- Data processing
- includes data capture, coding, editing and imputation
- Survey harmonisation
- Ethics and confidentiality
Discussion of survey error and quality in surveys are brought into all topics of the syllabus. Case studies and group exercises are presented as an integral part of this module
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Depending on feasibility, teaching may be delivered face to face intensively over a week, or online using a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous online methods, which may include lectures, discussion boards, workshop activities, exercises, and videos. A range of resources will also be provided for further self-directed study.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Independent Study | 74 |
| Teaching | 26 |
| Total study time | 100 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Staff requirements (including teaching assistants and demonstrators). Guest lecturers from the ONS present different topics in this module
Textbooks
Fowler, F. (2002). Survey Research Methods. London: Sage.
Groves, R.M., Fowler F.J., Couper, M.P., Lepkowski, J.M., Singer, E. and Tourangeau.R. (2004). Survey Methodology. New York: Wiley.
Czaja, R. and Blair, J. (2005). Designing Surveys: A guide to decisions and procedures. London: Sage.
Assessment
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External