Survey Resaerch

Research in English Language Teaching Resource Person: Ms Nadia Majid

Survey ResearchGroup MembersNadia NeelamMohsina AshrafMaria RafiqueMuneeba Shahid

Content ListWhat is Survey.Why Survey?Survey Research (definition).Characteristics of Survey ResearchSteps in process of Survey Research.Tools for Survey Research.Survey Research DesignsStrengths and weaknesses/limitations of Survey Research.Conclusion

What is a Survey? A survey is an instrument to collect data that describe one or more characteristics of a specific population. A systematic method for gathering information from (a sample of) individuals for the purposes of describing the attributes of the larger population of which the Individuals are members. Surveys are method of data collection in which information is gathered through oral or written questioning

Why Surveys? To explain the situation (analytic survey)Problem identification & solving.To measure the change. To study attitudes, behaviors and habits.To formulate a hypothesis. To test hypothesis.

Survey ResearchDefinition Survey Research involves collecting data to test hypothesis or to answer questions about peoples opinion on some topic or issue.Survey Research involves the collection of information from a sample of individuals through their responses to questions.

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Survey Research determines and reports the way things are; it involves collecting numerical data to test hypothesis or answer questions about the current status of the subject of the study.

Characteristics Of Survey ResearchSampling from a population.Construction or identification of survey instrument for data collection.Collecting data through questionnaires or interviews.High response rate.

Types of Surveys

Two main types of Survey;Analytic surveyDescriptive survey

Descriptive SurveyA descriptive survey attempts to picture or document current conditions or attitudes that is, to describe what exists at the momentExamples:Audience survey to determine the program taste.To study the changing values, life style by the effect of some special type of program.

Analytical SurveyAn analytical survey attempts to describe and explain why certain situations exist. Here we examine two, or more variable to test our research hypothesis

Examples:How life-style effects the t.v. viewing habits.Impact of war games on teenagers.

Steps in the Process of Survey Research

Step 1:Develop hypothesis.State the problem or topic.Construct or locate the survey tool.Sampling Pilot test the questionnaire.Prepare the cover letter.

Step 2:

How to record data.Pilot test instrument.Revise the instrument.

Step 3:Decide on target population.Get sampling frame.Select sample.

Step 4:

Conduct interviews.Carefully record data.

Step 5:

Enter data into computers.Recheck all data.

Step 6:Describe methods and finding in research report.Presenting findings to others and critique and evaluation.

Tools For Survey ResearchInterview Questionnaire.

InterviewAny person- to- person interaction between two or more individuals with a specific purpose in mind is called interview. Interviews are of two types-Structured interviews.Unstructured interviews.

Structured InterviewIn structured interview the researcher asks a predetermined set of questions using the same order of questions as specified in interview schedule. An interview schedule is a written list of questions prepared for use by an interviewer in a person- to -person interaction which may be face- to- face , on telephone or by other electronic media.

Unstructured InterviewIn unstructured interview complete freedom is provided to the researcher in terms of content and structure.There is flexibility in interview questions. Types of unstructured interview are-In-depth interviewFocus group interviewsOral histories

Limitations of InterviewIn an interview the quality of the data generated is affected by the experience , skills and commitment of the interviewer.The interviewer may be biased.Quality of data may vary when many interviewers are used.It is more expensive.

QuestionnaireQuestionnaire is the most commonly used tool in survey research. Forms Of QuestionsThere are two forms of questions:- 1.Open-ended 2.Closed -ended

Advantages of QuestionnaireIt is less expensive and convenient method of data collection.As there is no face-to-face interaction between respondents and researcher, this method provides greater anonymity.

Disadvantage of QuestionnaireIts application is limited to a study population that can read and write.Response rate is low as people fail to return the questionnaire.If the respondents interpret questions wrongly, it will affect the quality of information provided.

Survey Research Designs Survey research studies generally comes into two designs:Cross-Sectional SurveysLongitudinal Surveys

Cross-Sectional Survey DesignA cross-sectional survey is one in which data is collected from selected individuals at a single point in time. It is a single, stand-alone study. Cross-Sectional designs are effective for providing a snapshot of the current behaviors, attitudes and beliefs in a population.It provides data quickly. In it a sample or samples are drawn from the relevant population and studied once.

ContinueIt describes the characteristics of that population at one time but can not give insight as to the causes of population characteristics.As these studies involve only one contact with the study population, they are comparatively cheap to undertake and easy to analyze.Examples Consumer satisfaction with a product.The relationship between the home environment and the academic performance of a child at a school.

Limitations Cross-Sectional studies are not effective if the researchers goal is to understand the trends or development over time.A single point in time often does not provide a broad enough perspective to inform decisions about changes in process and system reliability . e.g. to change the math curriculum in a school

Longitudinal Survey DesignIn a longitudinal survey study, data is collected at two or more times to measure growth or change. This survey is extremely useful for studying the dynamics of a topic issue over time.It measures same random sample at multiple time points.It is the easiest way of assessing the effect of naturally occurring events.Example-To ascertain the trends of the demand for labor.

ContinueLongitudinal survey is categorized into four basic types Trend SurveyCobort SurveyPanel SurveyFollow-up Survey

LimitationIt is expensive and difficult because it hardens to find sample that will commit to a month or yearlong study.

Strengths Of Survey ResearchHigh Representativeness Low Costs Convenient Data Gathering Good Statistical Significance

ContinueLittle or No Observer SubjectivityLeads to great objectivity Precise ResultsHelps to know the social situations.

Limitations Of Survey Research

It is charged that survey information touches only the surface of the research field and does not make a deeper thrust into it.Sometimes if sample information's have not been collected very carefully, the magnitude of sampling error may be too large to render the sample results reasonably accurate.

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It is also charged with demanding of more time, effort and money.Insecurity limiting access to the population of concern.The lack of funding necessary to carry out a survey.

ConclusionSometimes, survey research leads many people to imagine that no particular training or systematic procedures are required. Nothing could be further from the truth. But as a result of this widespread misconception, you will encounter a great many nearly worthless survey results. You must be prepared to examine carefully the procedures used in any survey before accepting its findings as credible. And if you decide to conduct a survey, you must be prepared to invest the time and effort required by proper procedures.