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Designing Surveys
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Designing Surveys
A Guide to Decisions and Procedures

Third Edition

A step-by-step guide to conducting surveys, with an emphasis on critical thinking and views on critically assessing surveys conducted by others



July 2013 | 440 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
This book is a comprehensive guide to the whole survey research process. Much more than a practical 'how-to' guide, the book presents the material in a social science context which is both thorough yet accessible. It provides a timeline and follows the steps of research including preparing for, designing, and implementing survey research, and includes a section on survey ethics. After reading this book, students are well equipped to conduct their own surveys and, just as importantly, critically assess surveys done by others. The Third Edition brings the book up to date with the latest developments in online tools.
 
1. Survey Practice
 
2. Survey Error
 
3. Planning the Survey: The Hierarchy of Decisions
 
4. Data Collection I: Selecting a Method
 
5. Sampling I: Concepts of Representation and Sample Quality
 
6. Sampling II: Population Definition and Frames
 
7. Sampling III: Sample Size and Sample Design
Methodology Appendix 1: Using Models in Sampling

 
 
8. Questionnaire Development I: Measurement Error and Question Writing
 
9. Questionnaire Development II: Questionnaire Structure
Methodology Appendix 2: Questionnaire Evaluation Workshop

 
 
10. Questionnaire Development III: Pretesting
Methodology Appendix 3: Cognitive Interviewing Workshop

 
 
11. Data Collection II: Controlling Error in Data Collection
Methodology Appendix 4: An Overview of Organization Surveys

 
 
12. Post-Survey Statistical Adjustments and the Methodology Report
 
Appendix A: UM Undergraduate Student Survey
 
Appendix B: Maryland Crime Survey
 
Appendix C: AAPOR Code of Professional Ethics
 
Appendix D: Internet Resources

Designing surveys has explored the broad principles for sampling and has addressed representative sampling issues. Researchers at all levels stand to benefit from reading the areas of the book that are applicable to their survey design.

Ms Emma Etuk
St Bart's Schl of Nursing & Midwifery, City University
December 19, 2014

Recommended reading for any student (or tutor!) planning a survey for their research dissertations. An excellent guide.

Dr Adrian Hunnisett
Research, McTimoney College of Chiropractic
May 21, 2014

This book helped me a lot in planning a survey based seminar.

Professor Ilona Heldal
Information and Communication Technologies, Interaction Lab
April 22, 2014

Perfect for undergraduate students

Dr Peter Yacobucci
Political Science Dept, Buffalo State College
April 1, 2014

This book offers a wealth of practical support in designing surveys. It tackles the challenges within use of surveys as well as the opportunities.

Dr Anthony Hickey
School of Nursing, Salford University
February 17, 2014

Nothing new was offered.

Dr Anne-Marie Armstrong
Computer Science Dept, Colorado Tech Univ-Co Springs
February 12, 2014

It is a good book looking up detailed information or explanation of survey design issues. Yet for use in the class room it is too much text based where the design of a survey is actually highly practice based

Dr Koen Kooy
International Business and Management, Hogeschool Rotterdam
December 16, 2013

An interesting text that aids students' understanding of the complexity of survey design

Dr Mark Francis-Wright
Health and Human Sciences, University of Essex
November 5, 2013

easy to follow text

Mrs Gillian Bishop
Department of Management & Marketing, Huddersfield University
October 31, 2013

A gem of a book; really useful and nothing else on the market that does such a specific job.

Helpful diagrams such as the one showing the stages in designing and using a survey

Useful for beginners, particularly the first few chapters, and for more advanced researchers, to refine their technique

Addresses the use of social media, but possibly more on this growth area would be useful

A little more on the ethical issues of using surveys would also have been helpful

Dr Sue Howarth
Institute of Education, Worcester University
October 21, 2013

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1 Survey Practice


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