Research Survey

What Is a Survey? A method of gathering information from a sample of individuals.

Example: A sample of voters is questioned in advance of an election to determine how the public perceives the candidates and the issues ...

A manufacturer does a survey of the potential market before introducing a new product ...

Survey Strategy.i. What Communication mode will be used?ii. How much structure should be placed on the question-and- answer processes?

i. Communication Mode:a. Personal/face to face interview,b. Telephonic interview,c. Interview through Mail. ii. Process Structure [Structured, Semi-structured or unstructured questions?].

Information is collected by means of standardized procedures so that every individual is asked the same questions in more or less the same way.

Survey Design

The Steps in a Survey :

1. What do you want to learn? [Information required] [Establish the goals of the Project i.e what do you want to achieve?]

2. From where to get information? or to Whom you will interview? [Selecting your sample]

3. How you will interview? [Choose interview methodology]

4. What you will ask? [Develop your questionnaire]

5. Pre-test the questionnaire

Survey Questions to ask?

Questions may be:

Open-ended Closed

Types of Questionnaire

1. Open-ended Questionnaire- Questions where free response is required. a. Numerical Open Ended Questionnaire[How much did you spend on groceries this week?]

b. Text Open Ended Questionnaire[How we can improve the working?]

2. Close EndedQuestions where Restricted Response is required Example: a.Simple Alternate optiona. Agreeb. Do not Agree or

How much satisfied you are in this class:1.---------------------------------------------10 Minimum Maximum

b. Multiple Choice Questions like:Where do you live?a.Northb.Southc. East d. West

The manner in which a question is asked can greatly affect the results of a survey.

The length of a questionnaire.

Confidentiality and Integrity?

Questionnaire Design 1. Things to Avoid when Asking Questions a. Complex Question b. Leading and Loaded Questionsc. Emotional questionsd. Ambiguous Questions Questions that do not provide respondents with enough information so as to intelligently answer the question

e. Double barreled questions: Two questions in one. f. Burdensome questions: Questions that would require the respondents to put more effort into answering the questionnaire than they are willing to provide

g. Assumption/Hypothesis questions:Questions where researchers assume respondents have information they don't have.

Issues in questionnaire lay out Order bias Questions that are more general should be asked before questions that are more specific

Sensitive questions: Questions that are sensitive should be asked towards the end of the questionnaire.

Interest building any questions that might increase respondents interest in the questionnaire should be asked early in the questionnaire

Questionnaire Design

General Tips:Always apply keep it short and simple KISS Principle [If yr questionnaire is of 20 pages respondents will give-up in horror even before starting].

1. Start with introduction message-Who you are? and -Why you are doing the survey?-It is better to give the name of the Co., instead of clients name e.g SZABIST and Walls Ice cream.

2. Give assurance to the respondents about the secrecy of the source and/or information.

3. Describe where to return this questionnaire, after filling.

4. Include your name and phone #. [May be some one will call for any query/clarification]

5. Make sure that your MCQ questions include all possible answers. [Allow a Dont know or Not Applicable and Other or None, response to the questions where applicable].

7. Dont put two questions into one [Have you ever bought frozen meat & fish, if so did u like?]

8. No emotional words or leading questions.

9. No technical terms and acronyms [GPA, instead of Grade point Average] [AGI, instead of Adjusted Gross Income]

10. Attractive Layout of Questionnaire.- Good/Sober Look- Easier to read- No use of many colors and fonts- No Background images [It makes text harder to read].

11. Pre-test the Questionnaire [Test the questionnaire with small nos]

Characteristics of the Survey Methods. [Merits & Limitations].

Merits.Efficient and economical than observational and experimental method,

Limitations:

a.The information to be collected depends on the respondents to co-operate.b. Even if the respondents do participate, but in many cases, they may not have the knowledge or even an opinion on the topic concerned.

c. Respondents may also interpret a question or concept differently from what was intended by the researcher.

Personal Interview.

It is an excellent data collection technique.

Advantages:In depth and detailed information can be secured.The interviewers have more control than with other kinds of interrogation. The interviewers can pre-screen (see) to assure the correct respondent is replying.

Limitations: This method is costly.Possibility of non co-operation by the respondents. Interviewers are reluctant to visit unfamiliar

Stages/Steps in successful interview:

1. The introduction.Interviewer's appearance and actions are critical in forming a good first impression.- Introduce yourself by name and Organization- Show special identification if any,- Submit the introductory letter if any,-Introduction should not be detailed (unnecessary),

- Be prepared to deal with the questions as:- How did you pick me?- Who gave you our/my name?-I do not know enough about this. Why dont you go to next door?-Why are you doing this study?

2. Gathering the data

3. Recording the Interview

Interview Problems:

No response error,No response error occurs when you can not locate whom you are supposed to study.

Response Error.- Errors in the processing and tabulation of data,

- Errors occur when the respondent fails to report fully and accurately,

Interviewer Error.- If the interviewers do not do a good job of enlisting respondent

- Co-operation, it is likely to be a biased information,

Costs.- Respondents are often geographically scattered hence expensive.

Telephone InterviewProblems Non contact rate Refusal rate

Self-Administered SurveysTypes - Mail survey - Computer-delivered - Face to face

DisadvantagesLarge non response errorCannot obtain detailed or large amounts of information

Thank you