Survey research methods
Associate Professor G L Rowley
First semester * Clayton
This subject provides a broad overview of the use of surveys to describe social situations, such as those that occur in education, the health sciences and evaluation studies, and a range of practical skills that are used in survey research. The characteristics of surveys and censuses will be examined and contrasted with those of experimental and case study methods. In this way, the assumptions that survey research make about social life will be considered. Various methods of sampling will be outlined, and students will learn to apply them. The use and development of scales will be considered together with the reliability and validity of such measures. Practice will be provided in the preparation of questionnaires and interview schedules, the preparation of data for analysis, and the use of appropriate software to process survey data. Particular attention will be given to the process of critically reviewing the results of survey research. A variety of social and ethical issues raised by the assumptions, methods and use of survey research will be given attention.
Assessment
Written: 100%
Prescribed texts
Moser C and Kalton G Survey methods in social investigation Heinemann, 1979
Recommended texts
Babbie E R Survey research methods Wadsworth, 1973
Baily K D Methods of social research The Free Press, 1973
Cochran W G Sampling techniques Wiley, 1963
Fink A and Kosecoff J How to conduct surveys Sage, 1985
Kish L Survey sampling Wiley, 1965
Wadsworth Y Do it yourself social research Victorian Council of Social Service, 1991