1.3.3

Surveys

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Surveys

Surveys are used to collect primary quantitative data from large groups of people. They are usually carried out using structured questionnaires or interviews.

Illustrative background for Surveys Illustrative background for Surveys  ?? "content

Surveys

  • Surveys are used to collect primary quantitative data from large groups of people.
  • They are usually carried out using structured questionnaires or interviews.
Illustrative background for Generalisability Illustrative background for Generalisability  ?? "content

Generalisability

  • Surveys aim to be representative and generalisable to wider populations, and not just the people studied.
  • To do this, sociologists collect information from a smaller representative group, drawn from the whole survey population.
  • A sample will not be representative if it is too small or if the sampling frame (the list of names of all the those included in the survey population) is not complete.
Illustrative background for Carrying out a surveyIllustrative background for Carrying out a survey ?? "content

Carrying out a survey

  • Decide on a hypothesis (an idea, theory or question to investigate).
  • Operationalise concepts – put an abstract idea or theory into a form that is measurable.
  • Conduct a pilot study – a small-scale practice survey so that the researcher can highlight any unforeseen problems.

Sampling Methods

Surveys are used to collect primary quantitative data from large groups of people. They are usually carried out using structured questionnaires or interviews.

Illustrative background for Generalisability Illustrative background for Generalisability  ?? "content

Generalisability

  • Surveys aim to be representative and generalisable to wider populations, and not just the people studied.
  • To do this, sociologists collect information from a smaller representative group, drawn from the whole survey population.
  • A sample will not be representative if it is too small or if the sampling frame (the list of names of all the those included in the survey population) is not complete.
Illustrative background for Sampling methods Illustrative background for Sampling methods  ?? "content

Sampling methods

  • Random sampling:
    • Every individual in the survey population has an equal chance of being picked out for investigation.
Illustrative background for Systematic samplingIllustrative background for Systematic sampling ?? "content

Systematic sampling

  • Systematic sampling:
    • Names are selected from the sampling frame at regular intervals until the desired size is reached.
Illustrative background for Stratified random samplingIllustrative background for Stratified random sampling ?? "content

Stratified random sampling

  • Stratified random sampling:
    • The sampling frame is subdivided (stratified) into a number of smaller sampling frames based on particular characteristics (e.g. gender, social class).
    • A random sample is then taken from this frame.
Illustrative background for Quota samplingIllustrative background for Quota sampling ?? "content

Quota sampling

  • Quota sampling:
    • The survey population is stratified and interviewers then find a quota of people who fit the criteria.
Illustrative background for Snowball samplingIllustrative background for Snowball sampling ?? "content

Snowball sampling

  • Snowball sampling:
    • Used when a sample of a sampling frame is hard to obtain.
    • The researcher identifies a small number of people with desired characteristics and asks them to introduce them to other people who might be willing to cooperate.

Jump to other topics

1Theory & Methods

2Education with Methods in Context

3Option 1: Culture & Identity

4Option 1: Families & Households

5Option 1: Health

6Option 1: Work, Poverty & Welfare

7Option 2: Beliefs in Society

8Option 2: Global Development

9Option 2: The Media

10Crime & Deviance

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