Introduction to Educational Research 6 th ed Craig

Introduction to Educational Research (6 th ed. ) Craig A. Mertler & C. M. Charles Chapter 11 This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: • Any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; • Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; • Any rental, lease, or lending of the program. Survey Research 1

What is “Survey Research”? • Purpose is to describe characteristics of a population (sometimes also referred to as “descriptive research”) • Primarily quantitative • Typically involves the administration of a questionnaire to individuals who are asked to describe their attitudes, opinions, behaviors, experiences, etc. 2 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

More Characteristics of Survey Research • Usually not feasible to survey an entire population • A sample of respondents must be utilized • Should use probability sampling techniques to better ensure (although no sampling technique guarantees) accurate representation • Key factor in the appropriateness of the inferences drawn about the population • Can be used in a descriptive manner, or to investigate relationships between variables, or in comparative designs 3 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Modes of Survey Data Collection • Several modes of survey data collection exist: » Direct administration of surveys » Mail surveys » Telephone surveys » Interviews » E-mail surveys » Web-based surveys • Characteristics & advantages/limitations of each (see Table 11. 1) 4 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Types of Surveys • Several types of surveys also exist: » Descriptive » Cross-sectional (also known as a census) » Longitudinal • Characteristics & advantages/limitations of each 5 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Types of Survey Questions • Several types of survey questions are possible, based on purpose and format: » Demographic questions—ask for personal characteristics 6 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Types of Survey Questions (cont’d. ) » Knowledge questions—ask how much individuals know about a particular subject; more typical on tests » Attitudinal questions—ask respondents to indicate their attitudes or opinions about some topic 7 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Types of Survey Questions (cont’d. ) » Behavioral questions—seek information about actual behaviors practiced by individuals 8 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Formats for Survey Questions • Again, several options for the researcher to consider » Close-ended questions—essentially a multiple-choice format (also referred to forced-choice questions) § Checklists—provides only a dichotomous set of options 9 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

More Formats for Survey Questions » Close-ended questions—continued § Likert questions—respond to statement on an “agree-disagree” continuum § Number of points on Likert scale? § Neutral point? ? 10 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

More Formats for Survey Questions » Close-ended questions—continued § Likert-type questions—respond to statement on some continuum other than an “agree-disagree” continuum 11 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

More Formats for Survey Questions » Open-ended questions—allow for more individualized responses 12 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Survey Design Considerations • Care must be taken to avoid the collection of inaccurate data » Provide directions that make respondent’s task clear. » Include only items that relate to purpose and RQs. » For comparisons, you must remember to ask pertinent demographic questions. » Survey questions should be clear and unambiguous. » Avoid asking leading questions. 13 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Survey Design Considerations (cont’d. ) » Keep your questions short and straightforward. » Avoid double negatives and negative wording in general. » Emphasize critical words in the questions with appropriate formatting. » Avoid the use of double-barreled questions. » Use correct spelling and grammar. 14 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Survey Research Process 1. Identification of topic to be studied 2. Review of related literature 3. Identification and selection of participants 4. Determination of the mode of data collection 5. Drafting of the cover letter and instrument 6. Pilot testing of the instrument 7. Collection of data 8. Analysis of data 9. Answering research questions and drawing conclusions 15 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Published Examples of Survey Research Mc. Cray, C. R. , Wright, J. V. , & Beachum, F. D. (2004). An analysis of secondary school principals’ perceptions of multicultural education. Education, 125(1), 111– 120. Additional examples through Research Navigator. TM (www. researchnavigator. com/) 16 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008

Applying Technology… Web sites related to survey research • Insiteful Surveys (www. insitefulsurveys. com) • Survey. Guru on My. Online. Forms (www. myonlineforms. com/surveyguru) • Survey. Monkey (www. surveymonkey. com) • Survey. Z! (www. surveyz. com) • Zap. Survey (www. zapsurvey. com) • Zoomerang (info. zoomerang. com) 17 Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2008