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SYM4025/5025

Survey research

Bill Foddy

12 points
* 2 hours per week
* First semester
* Clayton

Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to competently conduct social surveys. More specifically, students should appreciate the need to: define topics properly; establish the relevance of questions to respondents; provide response frameworks for respondents; order questions sensibly; format interview schedules and questionnaires properly. Students should also be able to competently conduct face-to-face and telephone interviews, and mail-out questionnaires surveys.

Synopsis This subject introduces students to a range of survey data collection techniques - including mail questionnaires, face-to-face interviews and telephone interviews. Attention will be directed toward assessing the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches. The subject has been designed to increase students' understanding of the underlying methodological issues and skills relevant to the wording of survey questions and carrying out of questionnaire and interview surveys.

Assessment Two practical assignments (3000 words each): 33.3% each
* Essay (3000 words): 33.3%

Prescribed texts

Foddy W Constructing questions for interviews and questionnaires: Theory and practice in social research CUP, 1993


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