Designing Surveys

A Guide to Decisions and Procedures

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

• Major changes in how quality surveys are designed and conducted are covered, including methodological advances for sampling and data collection, especially Web-based and mutli-mode designs.
• The latest methods for all aspects of the survey process are incorporated in planning the survey, developing and pretesting the questionnaire, designing the sample, pilot testing the survey, managing data collection, and reporting methodological issues.
• Methodological advances in telephone and multi-mode survey design are covered, including Address-Based Sampling (ABS), behavior coding, cognitive interviewing, adjusting for nonresponse bias, and more.
• Two new chapters on sample design and implementation.
• Four Methodology Appendices:  Using Models in Sampling; Questionnaire Evaluation; Cognitive Interview Pretesting; and Organization Surveys.

KEY FEATURES:

• Practical, accessible coverage equips students and independent researchers to conduct their own surveys and to critically assess surveys done by others.
• Comprehensive coverage gives readers a sound basis for both conducting small-scale surveys and understanding the design principles necessary for developing more complex, specialized larger surveys.
• Practical advice supported by real world examples helps readers learn how to think through design options and implementation decisions and provides a basis for designing surveys that are compatible with today’s technologies.
• A walk-through of the entire sampling process starts with defining the target population and linking it to an appropriate sampling frame, alternative methods of determining the sample size appropriate to the research goals, and maximizing the efficiency of the sample design and sample selection.