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....
In our daily activities as humans, we consciously and unconsciously observe what people do around us, how they do it, and sometimes ask why they do what they do. In so doing we gain a better understanding of their ways of life. Anthropologist and sociologist too mention but a few, professions employ the daily observations we engage in as humans in a methodology called participant observation. Dewalt and Dewalt (2002:1) define participant observation as “a method in which a researcher takes part in the daily activities, events, rituals and interactions, of a group of people as one of the means of learning the explicit and tacit aspects of their life routine and culture.” Participant observation can be carried out in roles that reveal or hide the identity of the researcher (i.e. covert or overt roles) in four different capacities namely complete participant, participant as observer, observer as participant, complete observer Bryman (2004). These capacities all have their merits and demerits. However, for the purpose of this essay participant observation would be discussed holistically devoid of the various roles. This is due to limitation on words. This essay discusses the merits and weaknesses of participant observation, arguing that the weaknesses are inherent in the merits and as such the merits outweigh the weaknesses and concludes with ethical discussions on participant observation.
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.
Elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes or any other setting is a delicate topic and the use of a questionnaire can keep the participant and their answers confidential (Leedy & Ormrod, 2013). In addition, a variety of elder abuse research articles that have been read had used some type of survey, questionnaire, telephone or in-person interview (Anetzberger, 2012, Castle, 2012, Castle, Ferguson-Rome, & Teresi, 2015, & Payne & Fletcher, 2005). Therefore, the use of a survey will allow for answers that are more honest from the nursing home administrators and/or authorities on this delicate topic. Consequently, the use of the survey research design will allow the respondents to provide close-ended
Sampling frames provide guidance and the ability to correlate linking in from of the survey goals to the population. This framing confirms that there is merit and meaning which coexist between the target populations. Haer & Becher (2012) concludes that the suitable sampling framing needs to be adopted only after understanding the surroundings of target populations. Essentially, outlining the goals of the survey by a random collection process of the target population is desired through the anonymous and rigorous surveying process.
Through an exploratory survey, the authors, Seth A. King and Christopher J. Lemons, provide an understanding of the elementary and secondary educators’ knowledge and implementation of Response-to-Intervention. An exploratory survey was distributed to elementary and secondary educators in Pennsylvania to determine their understanding of Response-to-Intervention (RTI). Eight research questions were address in the survey, which were externally review and validated by experts in the field of RTI. The survey was distributed to randomly selected educators- private, public, and special schools- in Pennsylvania via e-mail. The responses
Survey is a collection of data and information about various subjects. It is a quick, easily administrable and less expensive mode of sociological research which many researchers undertake in order to collect data from the participants or subjects of the research. It can be used to gather data on an extensive variety of things, including individual certainties, mentalities, past practices and supposition. A survey can be carried out in various forms. Questionnaires and interviews are two of the most important forms of collecting data which help us to carry out the surveys. Questionnaires can be sent out in many ways. Data can be collected through online questionnaires, questionnaires sent in mail, handed out in person and discussed over the phone. Interviews are a more personal form of data collection as compared to questionnaires.The researcher directly works with the respondent and collects data by either asking question face-to-face or over the telephone. But just like a coin has two sides, one cannot ignore the drawbacks of surveys as well. The statistics can be manipulated by the researcher and mended as per his own needs. For e.g.: a researcher conducting a research on national income might survey the upper class of the society only and form an analysis. This is a manipulated research as it ignores some sections of the society as per the discretion of the researcher. Also at times, there are chances that the options of answers given in an questionnaire may not be an exact impression of how the members genuinely
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.
The Advantages and Limitations of Social Surveys in Sociological Research To survey something, is to carry out a systematic overview so that a researcher can produce a comprehensive general report on it. Survey method is often used by positivist sociologists seeking to test their hypotheses, and to investigate causes and examine variables. As with every other sociological research, survey has its own advantages and limitations. Positivist research, which is in the scientific tradition, begins with a hypothesis that can be either confirmed or rejected according to the data collected. One of the significant advantages of survey method is that, it can be used to collect data that is a representative of a larger population.
When answering sociological questions one must always do some kind of research. Whether it may be documentary research, surveys, experimentation, or even ethnographic research. Of course there is no one best way of researching to find an answer. Each way of research has their own strengths and weaknesses. The one way of research that will be discussed in this essay is documentary research.
...s highly replicable and can be used on a longitudinal basis (Gerard, K., n.d.) When there is an advantage, there is a disadvantage. A poorly constructed survey can ruin the validity of the results, which is why any research method needs to be standardized. Response rates from random sampling can bias the result of the survey (Cherry, n.d.). Also, when using a close-ended question, participants may have an acquiescence response; where people tend to say “yes” or agree to the things that don't really affect them.
Conducting Surveys A survey can either be administered as a census survey. member of the appropriate population is surveyed, or a sample can be. selected. The.
...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.
-It is first-hand research. It may include interviews which you conduct. It also includes surveys or questionnaires which you organise and analyse. Be careful how you use information collected in a survey, however, as it is only a small sample and should not be used alone to validate arguments.
In his article, Science and Community Psychology: Social Norms for Pluralistic Inquiry, James G. Kelly outlined several areas and ideas to focus on in order to stimulate discussion on the idea of building a widely acceptable framework for research in the field of community psychology to help validate research results. His ideas include demythologizing statistics so that research is not bound by the current community favorites but by the method of statistical analysis the fits the research style and method. Encouraging open discussions on the ecological validity of various research methods to establish the fact that not all methods are appropriate for every case. Encourage critical analyses and discussions of multiple procedures and methods in order to reiterate the fact that not all procedures and methods are equal to the task at hand. Celebrate and reward young researcher who come to the field and/or bring new method of research to light. Discuss historical precedent and how things have changed over the year to promote the idea that the psychological field as a whole is ever changing. And finally, create support groups to encourage both new and seasoned researchers going in the field. (Kelly,