Survey methods guides and tutorials
This page carries links to downloadable materials on a range of survey methods.
How to write a survey report (Audience Dialogue, 2007)
Short guide for beginners, based on audience research, but applicable to other areas.
The Audience Dialogue site is worth exploring for its many knowledgable, useful and easy to understand explanations of the practical side of survey research, including software for survey analysis.
Guide to the design of questionnaires (Leeds University)
Contains 9 sections, a reference section and two appendices.
[Authors' blurb]
"This document is designed for students and novice researchers intending to carry out a questionnaire survey. Because surveys of any kind are expensive and time-consuming to conduct, it is important that the data analysis is as extensive and well prepared for as possible. The strength of the analysis depends on good quality data that in turn stems from good design of the data collection instrument, i.e. the questionnaire, and of the collection procedures.
This document provides a compilation of do's and don'ts for good questionnaire design that will, if followed, make data analysis easier and faster than otherwise. The survey process is outlined to place questionnaire
design in context. Also covered in this document are a number of ways in which the computer fits into various elements of the overall survey process."
Social Research Methods and Design (Graham Gibbs, Huddersfield)
is a series of 28 excellent Youtube videos covering a range of methods (mostly grounded theory and qualitative research) but which also includes some of relevance to survey research.
Surveys and sampling:
Part 1 Surveys
Part 2 Sampling
Questionnaires:
Part1 (Question types and piloting)
Part 2 (Questionnaire layout and wording)
Part 3 (Ratings and scales)
Survey Research and Design (North Carolina State University, 2008)
Syllabus with planning diagrams and excellent reading list
European Foundation
Survey Methodology is a useful short note on validity, reliablity, sampling, coding and weighting used in surveys funded by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Local Government Data Unit ~ Wales
(LGDU) has produced a series of guides covering four broad areas:
• Surveys
• Performance management
• Collecting and using data
• Statistical processes
A guide to Survey Design and Analysis (Dec 2009)
"As part of the Performance Measurement Portfolio of support materials, this paper seeks to draw together
good practice around survey design and the analysis of the data gained through the use of surveys. This guide gives practical advice and guidance to people who need to design surveys and analyse the resulting data." There are links to other sites and also a reasonably up-to-date reading list.
A guide to Writing an Invitation to tender for Surveys/Research (Nov 2009)
This guide provides a template Invitation to Tender (ITT) for those people who are commissioning surveys or research.
A guide to Questionnaire Design (Nov 2009)
This guide provides advice and guidance on designing questionnaires. It focuses mainly on points to consider when writing questions and how to format self-completion questionnaires.
A guide to Presenting Data (Aug 2009)
Reference booklet explaining the proper way in which to present data in text, tables, charts and maps.
For other guides see their website: http://www.dataunitwales.gov.uk/ LGDU also provides advice, guidance and training support relating to each of the documents in the series.
How to write a survey report (Audience Dialogue, 2007)
Short guide for beginners, based on audience research, but applicable to other areas.
The Audience Dialogue site is worth exploring for its many knowledgable, useful and easy to understand explanations of the practical side of survey research, including software for survey analysis.
Guide to the design of questionnaires (Leeds University)
Contains 9 sections, a reference section and two appendices.
[Authors' blurb]
"This document is designed for students and novice researchers intending to carry out a questionnaire survey. Because surveys of any kind are expensive and time-consuming to conduct, it is important that the data analysis is as extensive and well prepared for as possible. The strength of the analysis depends on good quality data that in turn stems from good design of the data collection instrument, i.e. the questionnaire, and of the collection procedures.
This document provides a compilation of do's and don'ts for good questionnaire design that will, if followed, make data analysis easier and faster than otherwise. The survey process is outlined to place questionnaire
design in context. Also covered in this document are a number of ways in which the computer fits into various elements of the overall survey process."
Social Research Methods and Design (Graham Gibbs, Huddersfield)
is a series of 28 excellent Youtube videos covering a range of methods (mostly grounded theory and qualitative research) but which also includes some of relevance to survey research.
Surveys and sampling:
Part 1 Surveys
Part 2 Sampling
Questionnaires:
Part1 (Question types and piloting)
Part 2 (Questionnaire layout and wording)
Part 3 (Ratings and scales)
Survey Research and Design (North Carolina State University, 2008)
Syllabus with planning diagrams and excellent reading list
European Foundation
Survey Methodology is a useful short note on validity, reliablity, sampling, coding and weighting used in surveys funded by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions.
Local Government Data Unit ~ Wales
(LGDU) has produced a series of guides covering four broad areas:
• Surveys
• Performance management
• Collecting and using data
• Statistical processes
A guide to Survey Design and Analysis (Dec 2009)
"As part of the Performance Measurement Portfolio of support materials, this paper seeks to draw together
good practice around survey design and the analysis of the data gained through the use of surveys. This guide gives practical advice and guidance to people who need to design surveys and analyse the resulting data." There are links to other sites and also a reasonably up-to-date reading list.
A guide to Writing an Invitation to tender for Surveys/Research (Nov 2009)
This guide provides a template Invitation to Tender (ITT) for those people who are commissioning surveys or research.
A guide to Questionnaire Design (Nov 2009)
This guide provides advice and guidance on designing questionnaires. It focuses mainly on points to consider when writing questions and how to format self-completion questionnaires.
A guide to Presenting Data (Aug 2009)
Reference booklet explaining the proper way in which to present data in text, tables, charts and maps.
For other guides see their website: http://www.dataunitwales.gov.uk/ LGDU also provides advice, guidance and training support relating to each of the documents in the series.