test 1, survey research

Question 1

Identify the steps in the survey research process.

Answer 1

1. Data collection 
(1) Sampling
(2) Questionnaire design or survey instrument design)
(3) Conducting the survey
 Survey modes:
(a) mail
(b) telephone
(c) in-person
(d) Internet
2. Data entry and data processing
3. Data analysis
4. Survey report (description of the survey process, major findings, conclusions, etc.; diagrams, charts, tables, etc.will be used)

Question 2

Define and find examples of sample.

Answer 2

part” or subset of population

Question 3

What are the major similarities between census and survey?

Answer 3

Both census and survey use the same basic techniques and methods for data collection, data entry and processing, data analysis, and findings reporting.

Question 4

Discuss the widespread use of sampling and survey by other academic disciplines and professions.

Answer 4

costco, schools, marketing

Question 5

When can errors occur in the survey process?

Answer 5

1. Using “part” (sample) to estimate or project
2. Using a “whole”( population )to estimate or project
3. Respondent answers are not accurate measures of the characteristics of the respondents.
4. Sample does not represent population.

Question 6

Discuss various types of biases in surveys.

Answer 6

1. Incomplete sample frame: Sample frame does not include all the people to be sampled.
2. Sampling is not random.
3. Incomplete answers, non-response, and low completion rate.

Question 7

Differentiate between random error and systematic error in sampling Find real life examples for each.

Answer 7

sampling is concerned with the selection of a subset of individuals from within a statistical population to estimate characteristics of the whole population

systematic error is called a bias ex. is an internet survey

Question 8

Define sampling.

Answer 8

sampling is concerned with the selection of a subset of individuals from within a statistical population to estimate characteristics of the whole population

Question 9

What is the relationship between a sample and the population

Answer 9

a sample is a subset of a population

Question 10

Identify and find examples of the major sampling methods. And discuss their appropriate uses.

Answer 10

1 stage sampling

a. Simple random sampling:
b. . Systematic sampling
c. Stratified sampling
2. multistage sampling
a. Area probability sampling
b. Random-digit dialing (RDD)

Question 11

Why is stratified sampling needed

Answer 11

When the distribution of the target population on a particular indicator (e.g., gender, grade level) is known, stratified sampling can give all sub-groups equal representation in the sample through unequal weighting of different strata

Question 12

What does the chance of selection refer to?

Answer 12

Each individual in the population of interest has an equal likelihood of selection.

Question 13

What are the factors affecting sample quality?

Answer 13

Feasibility
Cost
Precision (how large a sampling error can be tolerated)

Question 14

What are the characteristics of a good sample frame?

Answer 14

Comprehensiveness (must include all the people to be sampled)
A person’s probability of selection (to be selected) can be calculated.
Efficiency (the people to be sampled can be found easily and cost-effectively)

Question 15

Identify the major causes of non-response.

Answer 15

Interviewee cannot be reached.
Interviewee refuses to answer questions.
Interviewee cannot provide data due to difficulties (e.g., illness, language problems, etc.)
sensitive questions

Question 16

How samples are drawn in Systematic sampling

Answer 16

1. Decide sample size.
2. Divide the total population into equal “blocks” by the sample size.
3. Select a random number within the boundaries of one block and use it SYSTEMATICALLY throughout for ALL BLOCKS.

Question 17

Under what circumstances do people are most likely to respond to a survey?

Answer 17

interest and relevance

Question 18

How to calculate response rate

Answer 18

people who complete the survey / total number of people surveyed.

Question 19

Generally speaking, which groups (in terms of age, education, immigration status, etc.) are more likely to respond in surveys?

Answer 19

older educated natives

Question 20

Generally speaking, which area (urban vs. suburban) tends to have a higher response rate?

Answer 20

suburban

Question 21

How to reduce non-response in interviewer-administered surveys?

Answer 21

make appointments, know your timing

Question 22

Discussthe nature and effects of non-response

Answer 22

Non-response error is hard to measure. There is still no clear evidence on when and how much non-response will or will not affect survey estimates.
The effect of non-response on one variable can be different than for others in the same survey.
No one knows how biased non-response is, but you have to assume it is biased.

Question 23

Discuss the merits and weaknesses of internet surveys.

Answer 23

most biased
reach only part of the population
people have multiple email accounts
cheap can get to a lot of people

Question 24

How to reduce non-response in mail surveys?

Answer 24

(1) Questionnaire must be easy to see, easy to read and easy to answer.
(2) Small cash payment improves response rate significantly.
(3) Repeated contacts and telephone follow-ups are needed.

Question 25

What are the good practices to boost response rate?

Answer 25

(1) Combine 2-3 modes or methods to produce a higher response rate. For example: use mail or email for first phase of data collection, followed by telephone interviews with non-respondents. (2) Data collected from follow-ups using a different mode need to analyze to make sure they are comparable with previously collected data.

Question 26

 Identify self-administered, surveys.

Answer 26

mail, internet, and computer-assisted surveys.

Question 27

 Identify interviewer-administered, surveys.

Answer 27

telephone and personal interview surveys.

Question 28

 Identify group-administered surveys.

Answer 28

college classroom

Question 29

Identify the major answer errors respondents are likely to make.

Answer 29

(1) Misunderstanding of survey questions (2) No knowledge or not sure (3) No standard measure for subjective feelings (4) Overstatement, understatement or pure lying

Question 30

What does reliability refer to?

Answer 30

providing CONSISTENT measures

Question 31

Define and find examples of validity.

Answer 31

measure what it is supposed to measure; using the right measure

Question 32

What are the ways to increase reliability?

Answer 32

1. Ask the same set of questions for each respondent. 2. Wording of the questions must be universally understood 3. AVOID complicated and unfamiliar words and phrases, poorly defined terms, and incomplete sentences. 4. Use optional wording as needed. 5. Avoid asking multiple questions in a single sentence. 6. In case translation is needed, use special wording for special subgroups to avoid misunderstanding or loss of meaning. 7. Whenever possible, use closed questions and provide respondents with a list of acceptable or expected answers.

Question 33

 How to increase validity?

Answer 33

1. Validity: Right measure for right subject. 2. Validity is somewhat different for subjective and objective measures. 3. Validity of opinions and feelings is hard to assess. It can only be assessed in relation to other answers a respondent gives. 4. Whenever possible, use closed questions. 5. Provide definitions to complex terms to reduce answer error. 6. change the question to ask information that is less detailed and easier to recall or estimate. 7. Tuse self-administered survey methods and assure confidentiality and anonymity. 8. Ask several questions with different question forms that measure the same subjective matters.

Question 34

What are open-ended questions and their appropriate uses?

Answer 34

This type of question allows participants to respond in any way they choose used in exploratory research.

Question 35

What are the major types of closed-ended questions and their appropriate uses?

Answer 35

Multiple-choice-Use a multiple-choice question when you want your respondents to choose the best possible answer among all options presented. Nominal (categorical or dichotomous)-Use a categorical question when the possible answers are categories, and the respondent must belong to one category. Ordinal-Sometimes you may want your respondents to rank order their responses. A ranking indicates the importance assigned by a participant to an attitudinal object. Likert scale- one standardized form of ordinal question format. Use a Likert-scale question when you are trying to determine respondents’ attitudes or feelings about something. Semantic differential (one form of ordinal question format)-opinions very much like to very much hate Guttman scale (one form of Semantic-Here, the respondent checks each item with which they agree. The items themselves are constructed so that they are cumulative -- if you agree to one, you probably agree to all of the ones above it in the list. Numerical- Ordinal provide primarily quantitative data, and are frequently used in confirmatory research.

Question 36

What are contingency questions and their appropriate uses?

Answer 36

Sometimes you have to ask the respondent one question in order to determine if they are qualified or experienced enough to answer a subsequent one

Question 37

What are matrix questions and their appropriate uses?

Answer 37

The matrix question is an efficient format for presenting several items sharing the same response categories.

Question 38

What are the major differences between census and survey? With the subject matter

Answer 38

   Census                Survey Subject:   Individuals      Individuals, organizations, or other

Question 39

What are the major differences between census and survey? With the data collected

Answer 39

Census Survey | Data collected: Facts only Opinions, facts, or both

Question 40

What are the major differences between census and survey? With the cycle(how often)

Answer 40

Census Survey | Cycle: Every 10 years Anytime

Question 41

What are the major differences between census and survey? With the sponsors

Answer 41

Census Survey | Sponsor: Census Bureau Any organization or individual

Question 42

What are the major differences between census and survey? With the expense

Answer 42

Census Survey Expense: Expensive Inexpensive

Question 43

What are the major differences between census and survey? With the scale

Answer 43

Census Survey | Scale: Large Small

Question 44

Identify the major answer errors respondents are likely to make.

Answer 44

(1) Misunderstanding of survey questions (2) No knowledge or not sure (3) No standard measure for subjective feelings (4) Overstatement, understatement or pure lying

Question 45

How samples are drawn in Stratified sampling

Answer 45

Before sampling, the population is divided into characteristics of importance for the research. For example, by gender, social class, education level, religion, etc. Then the population is randomly sampled within each category or stratum. If 38% of the population is college-educated, then 38% of the sample is randomly selected from the college-educated population.

Question 46

How samples are drawn in Simple random selection

Answer 46

In a simple random sample (SRS) of a given size, all such subsets of the frame are given an equal probability. Each element of the frame thus has an equal probability of selection

Question 47

How samples are drawn in multistage selection

Answer 47

Stage 1: Select a small number of "clusters" (geographic areas, organizations, etc.)--NOT INDIVIDUALS--from all the "clusters" as sample. At this stage: Population---all "clusters" Sample--some "clusters" Stage 2: Select individuals from the selected "clusters" At his stage: Population--all individuals in the selected "clusters" Sample--some individuals selected from these clusters

Question 48

How to calculate non-response rate?

Answer 48

total number of people surveyed/people who complete the survey

Question 49

In group-administered surveys, respondents answer questions (record answers) just like in _______.

Answer 49

self report

Question 50

Discuss the suitable uses for each survey mode.

Answer 50

mail  telephone in-person Internet

Question 51

Discuss issues about questions format,

Answer 51

open-ended-coding is impossible, only use when exploring new issues, and a small population close ended-yes no questions

Question 52

What is the difference between error and bias

Answer 52

error is random it can go both ways. bias is consistent can go only one way

Question 53

What kind of errors are there

Answer 53

1. human 2. equipment 3. answer either lack of knowledge or misunderstanding 4. unrepresented sample

Question 54

what is a sample frame

Answer 54

as close to the population as you can get

Question 55

Discuss issues about , costs,

Answer 55

costs from high to low: personal interview survey telephone survey group-administered survey mail survey Internet and computer-assisted surveys.

Question 56

Discuss issues about response time,

Answer 56

the order of response rate--from high to low-- looks like the following: group-administered survey personal interview survey telephone survey Internet and computer-assisted surveys mail survey Mail and personal interview surveys are not suitable for fast response.

Question 57

Discuss issues about equipment requirements,

Answer 57

Internet and computer-assisted surveys have higher requirements on facilities and are not suitable for sparsely populated areas and small cities where high-speed Internet service and computer labs are not readily available.

Question 58

Discuss issues about content

Answer 58

Closed-end questions are preferable, especially for mail survey. Break down complex questions into a set of simpler ones. Sensitive questions are more suitable for mail, Internet and computer-assisted surveys.