Apply survey research:
Introduction:
Survey Data Collection and Conducting Research on the Internet
Researchers spend years of study to learn the nuances of instrument development. Survey development is a challenging endeavor that involves pilot testing, statistical analysis, and may involve factor analysis and inter-item reliability analysis. These statistical analyses help establish psychometric properties that demonstrate instrument reliability and validity.
An alternative to instrument development is the use of pre-existing measures that contain established psychometric properties. The Library link in the Books and Resources for this week provides sources for established (valid and reliable) instruments (surveys). It is important that researchers develop a strong understanding of instrument validity and reliability regardless of whether they build their own survey, modify a pre-existing survey, or utilize a pre-existing survey in its totality.
With the advent of the internet, now there are a number of survey data collection tools, including sampling resources, surveys, and tools that assist researchers in increasing survey response rate, which facilitate reducing non-response bias.
Below provides resources on internet data collection.
• Birnbaum, M. H. (2000). Introduction to Behavioral Research on the Internet. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
• Birnbaum, M. H. (Ed.). (2000). Psychological Experiments on the Internet. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
• Fraley, R. C. (2004). How to Conduct Behavioral Research over the Internet: A Beginner’s Guide to HTML and CGI/Perl. New York: Guilford Press.
• Jones, S. (Ed.). (1999). Doing Internet Research: Critical Issues and Methods for Examining the Net. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
In addition, if you decide to pursue survey development as part of your research at Northcentral University, consider obtaining other resources to support your developing skills.
Here is a link to another great resource:
The SAGE Handbook of Online Research Methods
Prior to beginning your survey design, read the following article:
https://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol10/issue3/wright.html
Then, visit the following links to learn more:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/use-cases/education-surveys
https://www.surveymonkey.com/mp/tour/responsecollection
Assignment Preparation:
1. Please review all Books and Resources for this week.
2. Use other resources you may find helpful to research more detail regarding this week’s topic.
Books:
Reference:
Cozby, P. C. (2012) Methods in behavioral research. Read Chapters Chapters 7, 8, 12,and 13
Creswell, J. W. (2013) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Read Chapter 8
Trochim, W., & Donnelly, J. (2008) The research methods knowledge base Read Chapters 9 and 10
Hewson, C. (Ed.). (2003). Internet Research Methods.
https://dx.doi.org.proxy1.ncu.edu/10.4135/9781849209298
Read this resource on Internet data collection.
Samuel J. Best, & Brian S. Krueger (Eds.). (2004). Internet Data Collection.
https://dx.doi.org.proxy1.ncu.edu/10.4135/9781412984553
Read this resource on Internet data collection.
Schonlau, M., Fricker, R. D., & Elliott, M. N. (2002). Conducting research surveys via e-mail and the web.
https://site.ebrary.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/lib/ncent/docDetail.action?docID=10425077
Read this resource on Internet data collection.
Articles
Reference Instruction
Wright, K. B. (2005). Researching Internet-based populations: Advantages and disadvantages of online survey research, online questionnaire authoring software packages, and web survey services.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/doi/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2005.tb00259.x/full
Read Article
Websites
Reference Instruction
Surveys & research methods workshops. Wadsworth cengage learning.
https://www.wadsworth.com/psychology_d/templates/student_resources/workshops/res_methd/surveys/surveys_01.html
View Website
Assignment: Apply Survey Research
Activity Description
For this assignment, create a Survey Monkey account and develop a survey.
Now, it is time to practice: Please sign up for Survey Monkey (you can obtain a free, limited account) and create a survey you might use in your own study. Visit Survey Monkey to create your account. You will notice that you can create a variety of question types. Be creative and explore all of the options. Develop a survey of at least 10 different questions. Be sure to include both quantitative and qualitative survey questions.
Length: a ten (or more) item survey with both quantitative and qualitative survey questions.
Your survey should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your survey should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards. Review APA Form and Style.