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Surveys (Babbie Ch. 9)

Geography 237a Research Methods. Surveys (Babbie Ch. 9). Characteristics Terminology Common problems in questionnaires Types of questionnaires Advantages/Disadvantages. Some Characteristics of Survey Research. typically about patterns or explanation (less so exploration)

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Surveys (Babbie Ch. 9)

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  1. Geography 237aResearch Methods Surveys(Babbie Ch. 9) • Characteristics • Terminology • Common problems in questionnaires • Types of questionnaires • Advantages/Disadvantages Geog 237a

  2. Some Characteristics of Survey Research • typically about patterns or explanation (less so exploration) • typically nomothetic (less so idiographic) • typically large samples (100s or even 1000s) • typically UOO is individuals (even if UOA are some aggregation – e.g., survey Mayors and councilors when cities are unit of analysis) Geog 237a

  3. Preliminary Terminology Questionnaire • “instrument” • mostly closed-ended questions Respondent • person to whom questionnaire is “administered” • predominantly one-way exchange of information Example • Canadian Census questionnaire • respondents = 20% of all Canadians Geog 237a

  4. Preliminary Terminology Closed-Ended Questions • pre-categorized (researcher’s words) • simple to numerically code • need exhaustive categories • need mutually exclusive categories Open-Ended Questions • in respondents’ words • useful detail for answering “why?” • labour intensive to numerically code Geog 237a

  5. Closed-Ended Examples Source: Canadian Community Health Survey Geog 237a

  6. Open-Ended Examples Why did you rate your health as _____ in the previous question? Geog 237a

  7. Flash Review Question What are the advantages and disadvantages of using: • open-ended questions; • closed-ended questions? Geog 237a

  8. Preliminary Terminology Likert Scales • common way to “standardize” question format • convert statements into questions • 4, 5 or 7 point scale • “agreement scale” is typical • strongly agree…strongly disagree Geog 237a

  9. 5 Point Likert Scale Examples Source: General Social Survey Geog 237a

  10. Likert Scale Examples Something about Q219 seem “somewhat wrong”? Source: General Social Survey Geog 237a

  11. Question • What might you use a 4 point scale (no “neutral” response) instead of a 5 point scale? Geog 237a

  12. Common Problems in Questionnaire Development Unclear wording Source: Canadian Community Health Survey 200-20001 Geog 237a

  13. Common Problems in Questionnaire Development Multiple items in one question • “If Libya now increases its terrorist acts against the UW and we keep inflicting more damage on Libya, then inevitably it will end in the UW going to war and finally invading that country which would be wrong.” Source: Babbie, 2003 - see text p.247 Geog 237a

  14. Common Problems in Questionnaire Development Respondent not competent to answer Source: Canadian Community Health Survey 200-20001 Geog 237a

  15. Common Problems in Questionnaire Development Respondent unwilling to answer Source: Canadian Community Health Survey 200-20001 Geog 237a Source: General Social Survey

  16. Common Problems in Questionnaire Development Questions too long/complicated Source: General Social Survey 1998 Geog 237a

  17. Source: General Social Survey 1998 (“art” is not irrelevant per se) Common Problems in Questionnaire Development Questions irrelevant (to respondent) • e.g, Tom Sakumoto (Babbie, 1993 248) Geog 237a

  18. Common Problems in Questionnaire Development Negative terms Which of the following do you not support in relation to AIDS • AIDS victims eligible for benefits • government pay healthcare costs… Source: General Social Survey 1998 Geog 237a

  19. Common Problems in Questionnaire Development Biased terms • way question is asked • increase probability that respondents will answer a certain way • subtle or overt • e.g, Don’t you agree that communism is a good form of political-economy? (biased) • To what extent to you agree that each of the following are good forms of government (matrix): • communism • anarchism • capitalism Geog 237a

  20. Common Problems in Questionnaire Development Biased terms Source: Babbie, 2003 250 Geog 237a

  21. Questionnaire DevelopmentGeneral PrinciplesExercise: • Outline some other principles for good questionnaire construction Geog 237a

  22. Questionnaire Development Contingency Questions • questions intended for a subset of sample • based on response to earlier question • caveat: reduced numbers for statistical/analytical purposes Geog 237a

  23. Questionnaire Development Contingency Questions Source: Canadian Community Health Survey 2000-2001 Geog 237a

  24. Questionnaire Development Matrix Questions • simplifies • same question and response mode for all items • easy for respondent Geog 237a

  25. Questionnaire Development Contingency Questions Source: General Social Survey Geog 237a

  26. Types of QuestionnairesExercise: What are the typical ways that questionnaires are “administered”? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Geog 237a

  27. Types of QuestionnairesWeb Surveys Web surveys • not widely used… • why not? • example web survey Geog 237a

  28. Surveys:Advantages/Disadvantages Advantages • large samples • strong reliability - standardized • statistical analysis Disadvantages • inflexible – researchers’ words • miss what is really important • too distant from social life • weak validity Geog 237a

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