Surveys are a popular method of data collection, especially when information is needed to be gathered from a large number of people or when answers to a list of clearly structured questions are needed (Frechtling, 2002). According to Berger (2000, p188), there are four key points about surveying: it is done to collect and study, in the case of the paper addressed, social data; it is based on asking people questions to get information; it is done with representative samples of a people being studied; and it can be assumed that the information collected from the sample is valid for the entire population of the people being studied. The purpose of a survey could be broadly classified into two categories. A descriptive survey simply tries to record current conditions or data (Gunter, 2002). For example, public opinion polls can record what the public think about a particular topic, and censuses can define the entire population’s general characteristics. On the other hand, an analytical survey, even though it also collects data as a descriptive survey does, goes on to examine the data and the relationships among variables in order to test hypotheses and …show more content…
Descriptive surveys can usually establish television or radio ratings and movie box office numbers by calculating the number of people who watch or listen to particular programmes, whereas analytical surveys can determine the relationship between media and its consumers (Lule, 2012). For example, Lazarsfeld, Berelson and Gaudet (1944) conducted a classic analytical survey research to find out the connection between American voters’ exposure to mass communication and their political candidate preferences. A further study conducted by Katz and Lazarsfeld (1955) used the analytical survey method to demonstrate the importance of informal social networks in forming public
A survey can be defined as a gathering of a sample of data or opinions considered to be representative of a whole. Such as when the United States government polls a random selection of people throughout the country to get an accurate reading of the people's overall prospective of what the American people think is best for the country. As I almost reach the age of eighteen, not only do I have to start worrying about my career and college, I have to affliate myself with a party and prepare to vote. I have taken three online polls and they all came out with similar results; I am a republican. The three polls I took were The Political Affiliation Quiz, The Political Quiz, and Political Compass. I liked them all but all for various reasons.
I believe the results of this survey to be accurate as the survey was conducted in a fair and professional manner. However, I also discovered how easy it can be to manipulate the data and the opinions of participants to favor a single viewpoint. Surveys are an important method of gathering, summarizing and presenting large amounts of data. However, when relying on polls to form opinions or make decisions, people should consider the source, look for any conflicts of interest, contemplate other avenues of information and draw their own conclusions.
This first question is the easy question and i made my mind on what methods i should pick. I pick a convenience methods even despite the flaws of creating a bias in result of an incompleted conclusion and this convenience methods also it may not represent the views of others student. But the methods itself is very lazy but the way to get people to do the survey by being up in their face and surveying two hunderd out of five thousand student that come to the liberty, really
398).It is also stated that news divisions reduced their costs, and raised the entertainment factor of the broadcasts put on air. (p. 400). Secondly, the media determines its sources for stories by putting the best journalists on the case and assign them to areas where news worthy stories just emanates. (p.400). Third, the media decides how to present the news by taking the most controversial or relevant events and compressing them into 30 second sound-bites. (p.402). finally, the authors also explain how the media affects the general public. The authors’ state “The effect of one news story on public opinion may be trivial but the cumulative effect of dozens of news stories may be important. This shows a direct correlation between public opinions and what the media may find “relevant”. (Edwards, Wattenberg, Lineberry, 2015, p.
The articles, published after 1996, contain varied methods of research attainment, but share similarities such as being a self-survey, having a small sample size, and being
Kelley, K et al. (2003). Good practice in the conduct and reporting of survey research. Oxford Journal. 15 (3): 261-266.
The right side of the survey is that it is cost effective as it does not have to spend lot of money in getting the survey done. Secondly is that is easy to administer and control. Thirdly is that surveys are very useful in describing the characteristic of a large population overall as there is no other research method that can have such a broad capacity provided. This would ensure that accurate sample is gather which is important for drawing the conclusion and make wise decision of what trainin...
The father of quantitative analysis, Rene Descartes, thought that in order to know and understand something, you have to measure it (Kover, 2008). Quantitative research has two main types of sampling used, probabilistic and purposive. Probabilistic sampling is when there is equal chance of anyone within the studied population to be included. Purposive sampling is used when some benchmarks are used to replace the discrepancy among errors. The primary collection of data is from tests or standardized questionnaires, structured interviews, and closed-ended observational protocols. The secondary means for data collection includes official documents. In this study, the data is analyzed to test one or more expressed hypotheses. Descriptive and inferential analyses are the two types of data analysis used and advance from descriptive to inferential. The next step in the process is data interpretation, and the goal is to give meaning to the results in regards to the hypothesis the theory was derived from. Data interpretation techniques used are generalization, theory-driven, and interpretation of theory (Gelo, Braakmann, Benetka, 2008). The discussion should bring together findings and put them into context of the framework, guiding the study (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). The discussion should include an interpretation of the results; descriptions of themes, trends, and relationships; meanings of the results, and the limitations of the study. In the conclusion, one wants to end the study by providing a synopsis and final comments. It should include a summary of findings, recommendations, and future research (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). Deductive reasoning is used in studies...
The results are analysed and findings used to deduce a pattern in the collected data. Since surveys are easy to distribute through the internet and emails, they are considered whenever researcher seek knowledge about a specific matter. Unlike both interviews and questionnaires, survey can be distributed to a wide-range of potential respondents, which helps researchers to draw comprehensive conclusions from its findings. Nevertheless, surveys are not ideal for collecting in-depth data on a research topic because they are only designed to gather what majority think of something as opposed to collecting detailed rationale for a phenomenon or
Focusing on surveys and questionnaires, and quantitative research methods, it varies on the person getting questioned as to which method they prefer. Some individuals may prefer to fill in a questionnaire, as it is quick and simple for them, whereas someone else would rather have a face-to-face interview because they may find questionnaires to complicated. Giving people the choice gives the more chance of getting a response overall. It is important that the researchers are aware of the advantages and disadvantages because they will then be aware of what method to use, and will know what method is best to use. It is also an advantage to work with experienced researchers in order to find out the best results.
Surveys: Are generally given in the form of an interview or questionnaire, providing researchers with information about how people think or act. In an interview, researchers try to obtain data through face-to-face interviews or telephone questioning. A skillful interviewer can go beyond the written questions and probe participants underlying feelings.
Perhaps the way to define what survey research is, is best done by understanding what is it not. Survey research is not design although some have argued that it contains aspects very similar to design. Some scholars have even called it art rather than a science. I tend to agree with them because the management of the various component of survey research is crucial to it yielding valid data. To this end, Trochim and Donnelly (2008) note that one of the means researchers utilize to collect data is via survey research. Considered to be premier in applied social research, survey research is critical in this field of psychology because it information regarding research questions are collected from the first hand source. Thus, social scientists tend to embrace survey research because it enables them to gather and analyze data concerning relevant topics/issues as it relates to applied science (Meltzoff, 1998; Trochim and Donnelly, 2008). Additionally, the flexibility of survey research coupled with it broad methods for collecting data make it both researcher and participant friendly....
...sis, which could make all results invalid. With any research projects, limitations will be present. It is important to attempt to eliminate some of these causes in order to complete a thorough, accurate study. In future projects, this study could go about researching the issue in different ways. Perhaps using a larger sample size would be conducive for accurate results. A larger sample size helps reduce and even out any possible errors caused by those who do not answer truthfully. Also, keeping the surveys mainly anonymous would help to receive more truthful and accurate responses from participants. Participants may be fearful of judgments on open interviews or phone interviews, which could affect responses. In order to obtain as accurate results as possible, a future study would need to find ways to survey participants in a confidential way that feels comfortable.
One of the advantages of quantitative research is a shorter time requirement. That is: data can be collected in easier way, e.g. sending or receiving by e-mail or/and post, distributing or collecting by particular persons so that data can be analyzed fairly quickly. A survey in this method can also be quickly generalized to the whole population by statistically random samples. Quantitative can provide a trusted set of data that give confidence if the information is constant and reliable. The survey can be conducted in the way of anonymous when it is related to sensitive topic. It protects privacy. Certainly, the goal of generalizing findings in target group can be achieved.
Surveys are an effective and popular method for research because of the efficiency, versatility and generalizability. Generalizability is the ability to sample and draw research conclusions for large populations (Bachman & Schutt, 2012). In order to effectively maximize outcomes in survey research, surveys must be structured to avoid unclear or confusing questions. Demographic related questions should be avoided if not pertinent to the research study (Bachman & Schutt, 2012). Generally, the motivation of the researcher is clearly identified in a survey, and the respondent has the option of declining involvement in the survey. There are fewer ethical dilemmas with survey research than other types of research methods.