Survey research refers to a qualitative and quantitative method that involves asking participants or respondents to report directly about their own behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. It gives a lot of attention to the issue of sampling and has a strong preference for large random samples as they offer the most precise estimates of what is true for the entire population. In order to conduct a proper survey research, it is important to have a good understanding of the essentials of a good survey, and the best way to gain this understanding is through training. Here are 4 fundamentals of good survey research training.
1. Survey Objectives
The basis of all research surveys is survey objectives. These represent the need for the questions and the variables to be tested through the survey instrument. Effective survey research training should teach you how to develop sound research objectives. Most research objectives come in the form of a statement, a question, or a hypothesis.
2. Research Design
Research design is the way the survey will be administered with regards to the target population, data comparisons, as well as frequency of administration. Research designs can vary from qualitative, quantitative, and mixed design. Good survey research training should teach you how to identify which research design is suitable for studying a particular phenomenon, and how to go about using each of the research designs when conducting a survey.
3. Collecting Sufficient Information
Good survey research training should offer you the skills required to collect sufficient information about the population under study. The training should teach you how to collect general information as well as how to analyze the results or the data by smaller segments. This means that after the training, you should learn how to construct relevant questions about the topic under study.
4. Sampling
Sampling is a procedure created to minimize costs associated with sending out many surveys in order to get a clear picture about a certain topic under study. It allows assumptions to be made to non-respondents in a population under study. Good survey research training should give you knowledge and skills to choose an appropriate sampling method or procedure and use the sampling procedure to capture relevant data about the population under study.
In summary, good survey research training should provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct a sound survey that is representative of the entire population. The training should teach you about all the fundamental elements and procedures involved in conducting survey research. So, before signing up for any kind of survey research training, ensure that you’ll be exposed to the above fundamentals.
