ERPiNA TRIANI

SURVEY RESEARCH

Definition :

A survey is an instrument to collect data that describe one or more characteristics of a specific
population. Survey data are collected by asking members of a population a set of questions via a
questionnaire or an interview. Survey research requires attention to the selection of an adequate
sample and an appropriate instrument.

SURVEY RESEARCH DESIGN :

Surveys can be categorized as cross-sectional or longitudinal.

 Cross-sectional studies collect data at one point in time,

 longitudinal studies collect data at more than one time to measure growth or change.
Longitudinal survey studies can be classified as trend surveys, cohort surveys, panel surveys,
and follow-up surveys; classification depends on sampling and administration of the survey.

CONDUCTING SURVEY RESEARCH

Survey research requires the collection of standardized, quantifiable information from all members
of a population or sample. A questionnaire is a written collection of self-report questions to be
answered by a selected group of research participants. An interview is an oral, in-person question-
andanswer session between a researcher and an individual respondent.

Conducting a Questionnaire Study

A questionnaire is efficient; it requires little time and expense and permits collection of data
from a large sample.

Stating the Problem

In developing a questionnaire study, the researcher should identify specific objectives or

subtopics concerning the kind of information needed and formulate questions that directly
relate to those objectives.

Constructing the Questionnaire

 A questionnaire should be attractive, brief, and easy to respond to

 Structured, or closed-ended,
 Common structured items used in questionnaires are scaled items (e.g., Likert and
semantic differential), ranked items, and checklists.
 In an unstructured item format (e.g., essay questions), respondents have complete
freedom of response
 Each question should focus on a single concept and be worded as clearly as possible.
 Avoid leading questions,
 To structure the items in the questionnaire, begin with general, nonthreatening
questions and then move to more specific questions.
 Questionnaires should also include directions for respondents to help standardize the
administration.