HPE 609 Survey Design Seminar
This course familiarizes learners with the steps and procedures essential to developing high-quality surveys. Although self-report surveys are the most common form of data collection instruments employed by social and behavioral scientists (as well as other researchers), few scholars are fluent in the basic processes needed to extract valid and reliable data from a survey. The course focuses primarily on learning and applying “best practices” of survey design, based on the existing empirical evidence. The course will examine research bearing on the following common questions: (a) Should I use an existing survey or design my own? (b) Should I use open-ended, ranking, or rating items? (c) How many response options should I offer? (d) Should I label every point in my response scale? (e) How should I organize the items in my survey? (f) Should I create an Internet, mail, or mixed-mode survey? (g) What type of response rate should I expect? (h) How do I report the findings of my survey design and development process? In addition, the course covers a modest number of theories associated with survey design. These theories help inform the design process, particularly in the (numerous) areas where the existing research provides little guidance.