Survey Presentation

RESEARCH METHODS
Name: Hitakshi Aggarwal

Roll number: 240111110036
Submitted to: Dr. Manju
SURVEY
 Meaning and definition of survey:
According to Kerlinger (1973), Survey research studies large and small populations (or
universes) by selecting and studying samples chosen from the populations to discover the
relative incidence, distribution, and interrelations of sociological and psychological
variables.
According to American Psychological Association (2018), Survey is a study in which a
group of participants is selected from a population and data about or opinion from those
participants are collected, measured, or analyzed. Information typically is gathered by
interview or self-report questionnaire, and the results thus obtained may then be
extrapolated to the whole population.
It is most commonly used method in social and educational psychology aiming to obtain
opinion and attitudes of people.
Surveys can be used for exploratory, descriptive, or exploratory research.
 Importance of survey:
- It is used to evaluate the respondent’s attitudes and beliefs.
- It helps in understanding experiences, opinions, and behaviour of participants.
- It helps in evaluating the success of intervention or preventive programs.
- It is also used to assess the individual differences.
 Steps in conducting a survey:
Step-1: To decide on the type of survey (mail/interview/telephone/web) in accordance to
the purpose of the research.
Step-2: To conceptualize variables and then operationalize each variable. For example: if
one wants to conduct a survey on mental health of adolescents, then the researcher needs
to conceptualize and operationalize the mental health and adolescence, meaning that the
researcher needs to clarify what dimensions of mental health s/he wants to study like
emotional regulation, thought process, adaptability, etc. and what age range does the
researcher is referring to as adolescents.
Step-3: To select the nature of survey items, that is if the questions are structured, semi-
structured, or unstructured.
Step-4: To write the survey questions. The researcher decides the composition and length
of the items. The final questions are framed based on each dimensions operationalized
and their response category is decided.
Step-5: After the instrument is prepared, physical features of survey are paid attention
meaning that the format, sequence of questions, answer recording are decided.
Step-6: To pilot test the survey instrument. After the pilot test, norms are standardized.
Step-7: To collect data from the sample and generalize on the population, if necessary.
 Precautions while preparing survey:
Constructing survey is considered to be an art and science both (art because entire survey
schedule should be integrated whole with covering each dimension flowing smoothly,
and science because all the items should be reliable, valid, standardized). Researcher
should take following precautions while constructing a survey:
I. Avoid jargons, slangs, and abbreviations. Jargons are technical terms specific to
specific profession, for example- ‘cognition’ for psychologists, ‘attorney’ for
lawyers. Slang is very specific to a subculture. Abbreviations and acronyms may
not be understood in the real terms used by the researcher, for example- SAD-
abbreviation for both seasonal affective disorder and separation anxiety disorder.
II. Avoid ambiguity, confusion, and vagueness. Ambiguous words are those words
which have more than one meaning, or subjective in nature, or are unclear. Best
example is the word ‘ego’. For a psychology student, ego means a structure of
personality that is rational but for layperson, ego means self-pride or feeling of
superiority. In relation to survey, if one asks a question: what is your income?
This could indicate weekly, monthly, or annual income. Or another question
would be: do you work regularly? Here what does the word ‘work’ implies?
III. Avoid double-barreled questions. A double-barreled question consists of two or
more questions mixed together. This type of question creates confusion and
respondents may leave such questions. For example- ‘are you satisfied with your
job performance and the organization you work for? In this question, employee
might be satisfied with his performance but not with the organization. Such
questions create inaccuracy in the results.
IV. Avoid double negatives. Double negative questions include two negative words
which are grammatically incorrect and confusing. For example- the respondent
has to answer yes or no on the question- I haven’t got no job. Now this question is
very confusing to understand but it actually means I have a job. So the
respondents may again give inaccurate answers. Always keep questions simple
and straightforward.
V. Avoid leading questions, i.e. questions that lead the respondents to prefer on
response over another. For example: you don’t smoke, don’t you.
VI. Instructions should be properly stated and meaning of response options should be
clear.
VII. Informed consent should be obtained.
VIII. Confidentiality should be maintained.
 Types of Surveys:

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RESEARCH METHODS

Name: Hitakshi Aggarwal

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