Research methodsLesson 1 of 2 in the course Data collection

Survey Methodology: Sampling, Measurement, Response, and Data Quality

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 5 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Survey methodology is the study of how surveys are designed, administered, and analyzed. A survey can provide evidence about a population, but the quality of that evidence depends on who is included, how information is collected, and what questions are asked.

A survey generally combines a sample (or the full population in a census), a data-collection method such as a questionnaire, and questions or items whose answers become data for analysis. Surveys may ask about preferences, opinions, behaviors, or factual information. For example, a poll might ask about candidate preferences, while a health survey might ask about smoking behavior.

All flashcards

What is a target population?
The larger group of people or units that a researcher wants to describe or draw conclusions about.
What is selection bias?
A systematic problem in sample selection that causes important parts of a population to be overrepresented or underrepresented.
How does stratified random sampling work?
The population is divided into strata, and random selections are made from each stratum, often in proportion to its population size.
What is a mode effect?
A difference in responses associated with the mode or method used to present questions and collect answers.
How do longitudinal studies differ from successive independent samples?
Longitudinal studies measure the same individuals repeatedly; successive independent samples survey different people from the population at each time.

Quiz questions

  1. What is a sampling frame?Answer: A source, such as a list or map, used to select potential sample members.
  2. Which statement best describes a cross-sectional design?Answer: It surveys a sample once to describe a population at one point in time.
  3. What is a mode effect in survey research?Answer: A difference in answers associated with how questions are presented or collected.
  4. What is social desirability bias?Answer: A tendency to give answers that create a favorable impression or fit perceived norms.
  5. What is a sound role for big data in producing statistics?Answer: It can complement survey evidence when its source and coverage are understood.

Based on the Wikipedia article Survey methodology, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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