Download pdf - Selasturkiye Social Surveys RM

8/8/2019 Selasturkiye Social Surveys RM

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Social Surveys Research projects which use a questionnaire to

collect standardized data from a large number of

people.

Can be eitherPopulation orSample surveys.Sample surveys are the most common

The collection ofstandardized data requires thatthe same questions be given to all respondents inthe same order.


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Types of Surveys Factual Surveys Use to collect descriptive

information. Example, Population census, The Survey ofLiving Conditions and The Labour Force Survey.

Attitude Surveys Carried out by opinion pollorganizations, market researchers, etc.

Explanatory Surveys - Used to test hypotheses or to

test and develop theories.

Common to all types, is the use of the Questionnaire

as the instrument of data collection


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The Questionnaire A questionnaire is a collection of questions

and /or statements that is designed to collect

information on a particular topic. It is an instrument used by researchers to

convert into data, information directly givenby respondents.

In essence, it provides access to what isinside the person's head


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The questionnaire facilitates the

measurement of what a person:

knows - knowledge, information

likes & dislikes - values, preference

thinks - attitudes, beliefs

experiences - past & present

It is a useful alternative when direct observation is

not possible.


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This approach to data collection requires

that the respondent:

co-operates in the completion of questionnaire

tells what is, instead of what he thinks ought to be, orwhat he imagines the researcher would like to hear.

knows how he feels or thinks in order to report.

It is possible therefore for the questionnaire to measure notnecessarily what a person likes, believes or thinks but what

he/she indicates in these regards.


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The researcher must, therefore, pay attention

to the following factors:

the respondent will have a tendency to show self in goodlight.

he/she may be unduly helpful by providing answers hethinks the researcher wants instead of telling it like it is.

he/she may not be able to provide answers to thequestions posed - out of ignorance etc.


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Types of Questions Direct versus indirect (Specific vs. Non Specific)

a. Do you like your job? - direct (specific)

b. How do you feel about your job? - indirect (non-specific)

a. How you feel about teacher A? - direct (specific)b.How do feel about class taught by teacher A? - indirect (non-specific)

Direct or specific questions may cause respondent to

become guarded or cautious and give less than honestanswers. Non-specific ones lead to desired information

with less alarm.


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Types of Questions cont.

Fact versus opinion

a. What kind of car do you drive?

b. Do you prefer Japanese or American?

Factual questions do not always solicit factual answersbecause:

i. faulty memory

ii. conscious desire to create a certain impression

Nor do opinion ones always solicit honest opinions.

Respondents are normally inclined to provide socially

desirable answers.


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Types of Questions cont. Questions versus Statements - Can be a direct

question as those types above (requiring a direct

answer) or a statement requiring an optionalresponse.

Predetermined versus Response Keyed

Questions - Answer all vs. answer those that arerelevant.


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5. Do you drink alcoholic beverages?1. Never 2. Occasionally 3. Frequently 4. Always

(If never, go to 6 and then terminate. Otherwise,

skip to 7 and continue)

6. Why dont you drink alcoholic beverages?

1. Religious reasons 2. Health reasons 3. Others (Specify) ______

7. When you drink, which of the following are you

most likely to have?1.Rum 2. Beer 3. Stout 4. Wine 5. Others (Specify)________


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RESPONSE

MODES


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Structured Response (Close-ended) Provide respondent with possible answers and ask him/her

to choose the most appropriate option.

When the closed-ended format is used, the researchershould be guided by the following:

- Response categories provided should be exhaustive

- Response options should be mutually exclusive

- There should be clear instruction to select the best answer

This format is respondent friendly and facilitates greater ease in theprocessing of data, since it can be transferred directly to computer. It

however, limits the possible answers to those thought of by the

researcher.


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Unstructured Response (Open-ended)

Researchers ask questions and allow

respondents to provide answers

Exert control only in regard to the questions

asked and the time and space provided.

Respondents give own answer, rather than

just agreeing with those given.

Format offers the respondent more flexibly


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Disadvantages of Open-ended Format

Responses must be coded before processing - Thecoding process can be time consuming and can be quiet

technical. It requires the researcher to accurately interpret

the meaning of respondents give to responses. There is

always the possibly of misunderstanding and researchers

bias.

Respondents quite often provide answers that areirrelevant to researcher's intent.


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Fill-in Responses. This is transitional mode between structured and

unstructured mode.

Respondents generate, rather than choose answers Responses are, however, limited in range and

length - often a single word or short phrase

Example: What is your father's occupation?

The very wording of the question restricts thenumber of possible responses and the number ofwords.


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Tabular Responses - Fill response into a table. A veryconvenient way of organizing complex responses.

Scaled Response - A structured response form.Respondents are asked to express endorsement or rejectionof a given statement.

Example: The Likert Scale

Ranking response Respondents are given somestatements, etc. and asked to rank according to some

criteria.

Checklist Response - Respondents choose all possibleanswers from a number of options given to him


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Development IssuesIn constructing the Questionnaire, the researcher

should always consider the following factors:

Format Wording

Precision Questions should be clear and unambiguous

Concision Items should be as short as possible Relevance Question should all be relevant and necessary

Double-barreled Questions Each question should shouldattempt to measure only one variable at a time

Biased Items/Terms Should not use leading questions

Negative Items Questions should be in positive form

Abbreviations and Jargons These should always beavoided


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Development Issues cont.

Format Layout

Uncluttered Items should be well-spaced/ spread-out

OrderItems should flow in a logical order. The orderingof questions affects the quality of responses

LengthShould not be too many items Instrumentshouldnt be too long

Personal Information Request only when required Instructions Always provide adequate instructions

both general and specific.


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Classification of Surveys Three main Categories, based on the

approach use in the completion of the

questionnaires:

- Mail Questionnaire

- Face-to-Face Interviews

- Telephone Interviews


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Mail Questionnaire

Postal services are utilized in the distribution

and return of instrument

Classical approach is to send questionnaireaccompanied by a letter of explanation and self-

addressed stamped envelope.

Respondents asked to complete and returnwithin a specified time.


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Comparative Features of Mail Questionnaire

Cost the cheapest

Time the slowest

Degree of obtrusion the least obtrusive

Specificity the least definite/certain

Literacy absolutely necessary Response rate the lowest


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Low Response Rate

This problem of a low response rate can have implications forgeneralization. Hence the need to incorporate measures in the

design to ensure the highest possible response rate. A common

approach is the use of follow-up mailing. Can take two forms:

Reminder only to non- respondents

Letter to all, thanking those who have responded and a reminderto those who havent as yet.

Always include include a copy of the questionnaire

Even with all practical measures, a 100 % response rate willnever be achieved. Researchers must decide, in advance, what

rate is considered acceptable that is, the minimum rate that

will not introduce response bias.


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Face-to-Face InterviewsMost popular form in the Caribbean. Interviewers ask

questions and record answers as given.Most obtrusive form,

so special attention must be paid to interviewers competence,

behaviour and appearance.

Interviewers should,therefore, always

display a pleasant and professional demeanor

be familiar with questionnaire and research area.

follow wording and format of questionnaire exactly

record responses exactly as given

use probing questions cautiously.

be properly trained.


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Comparative Features of Face-to-Face

Interviews

Cost the most expensive

Time the most time consuming

Degree of obtrusion the most obtrusive

Specificity the most specific

Literacy not necessary Response rate the highest


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The telephone Interview

Most convenient approach, but with obvious

Biases. Will have access only to those

with telephones

who are listed in the directory

are available at the time of the interview


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Comparative Features ofTelephone

Interviews

Cost

Time

Degree of obtrusion

Specificity

Literacy Response rate


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Stages in the construction of a

questionnaire1. Identification and specification of variables.

2. Choosing question format.

3. Choosing response modes.4. Preparing questions/items

5. Construction of the instrument.

6. Pilot testing Test for reliability and validity.

7. Make required adjustments.

8. Repeat 6.